Dollar breaches Rp17,500; will car prices rise? Here's what the Daihatsu boss says

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The rupiah’s depreciation against the US dollar is being felt in the domestic automotive industry. Several vehicle components still rely on imports, increasing cost pressures. However PT Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM) has confirmed that it has not yet adjusted vehicle prices.

Marketing Director of PT Astra Daihatsu Motor, Sri Agung Handayani, said the company opted for efficiency rather than passing on cost increases to consumers. The move is aimed at keeping the first-time car buyer market intact amid weakening consumer purchasing power.

‘Tapi tetap ada beberapa komponen yang memang impor. Pastinya butuh penyesuaian. Tapi keberlanjutan industri ini mesti jalan. Jadi kita restructure biaya dan melakukan efisiensi di manufacturing kita,’ Handayani said at the Daihatsu Campaign 2026 press conference at the AI DSO Astra Biz Centre, BSD Tangerang, on Wednesday 20 May 2026.

ADM is also starting discussions on developing local components with the automotive supply chain. The move is intended to reduce dependence on imported components if the exchange rate pressures continue in the long term.

‘Lalu yang kedua kita ada pembahasan juga dengan total supply chain kita untuk mencari solusi dalam pengembangan lokalisasi dari beberapa komponen,’ he added.

According to Agung, rupiah depreciation not only affects Daihatsu but the entire Indonesian automotive industry. Therefore, he sees price adjustments in the industry as likely unavoidable if the exchange rate pressures persist.

‘Saya rasa depresiasi ini berdampak bukan hanya pada pabrik Daihatsu. Ini akan terjadi pada seluruh industri yang ada di Indonesia. Maka saya yakin akan ada penyesuaian,’ he said.

Nevertheless, Daihatsu emphasised that it would not act hastily in deciding on price increases. The company remains mindful of consumer purchasing power, particularly first-time buyers who are a key market for Daihatsu in Indonesia.

‘Tapi apa yang akan dilakukan Daihatsu akan dilakukan dengan sangat hati-hati dan prudent. Artinya tidak semua dilakukan dan di-deploy kepada customer,’ Agung said.

He also stressed that as of now there have been no price increases for Daihatsu cars, even though production cost pressures have begun to bite since the start of the year. He said it is important for consumers to know this.

‘Saat ini tidak ada kenaikan harga Daihatsu. Selama empat bulan sejauh ini lima bulan tidak ada kenaikan harga,’ he said.

On the other hand, ADM is preparing localisation of components in the short to medium term. The company estimates some localisation projects could be underway within six months.

‘Ya ada yang short term, ada yang mid-term. Dalam jangka enam bulan, yang mid-term ada yang satu tahun sampai satu setengah tahun,’ Agung said.