First in ASEAN: TMMIN-CATL Collaboration for EV Battery Production
JAKARTA – The collaboration between PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) represents a new step in the development of the national electric vehicle battery industry.
This partnership is even described as the first in Southeast Asia because it directly targets the production of batteries at the cell and module level.
Until now, most battery projects in Indonesia have still been at the battery pack assembly stage.
He explained that the collaboration scheme involves placing production machines from TMMIN at the partner’s facility.
“The location and the subsequent process will be like we have a mould, then it’s placed at the supplier. So, CATL will run it, the investment comes from us. This is the first one, production of cells and modules, not battery packs,” said Nandi.
For the initial stage, production of these batteries is targeted to start running in the second half of this year.
However, Nandi has not detailed the vehicle models that will use the locally produced batteries.
“We will produce in the second half. Modules and volumes will be announced in due time,” he said.
The entry of cell and module production is seen as capable of increasing the value added in the industry, while also driving the downstreaming of the national automotive sector.
Meanwhile, the Toyota-CATL collaboration also aligns with the multi-pathway approach implemented by Toyota in reducing carbon emissions.
This strategy includes the development of various technologies, from hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
“We hope this collaboration will have a positive impact on the Indonesian nation in strengthening the competitiveness of the national supply chain, driving downstreaming, national economic growth, increasing local content value, and energy resilience, all of which align with national interests,” said Nandi.
“We will continue to commit to growing together with Indonesia by sharing sustainable mobility solutions and making real contributions to a better future,” he concluded.