Prabowo Has Gathered Experts and Professors to Build Indonesia's Own Car

Indonesia’s head of state, Prabowo Subianto, has reaffirmed a strategic move towards national automotive industry independence. He stated his strong commitment to ensuring Indonesia is not merely a market base for global automotive products, but capable of manufacturing vehicles independently through the optimisation of human resources and local technology.

The statement was delivered directly in the highest constitutional forum alongside members of the legislature. At the 19th Plenary Session of the Indonesian DPR’s Fifth Session of the 2025-2026 legislative year, on Wednesday 20 May 2026, Prabowo said Danantara would accelerate development financing, particularly investment and working capital for the acceleration of industrialisation.

“We must industrialise, we must make our own cars, we must make our own motorcycles,” said Prabowo.

As a concrete step to realise the ambition, the government is reportedly beginning to consolidate the intellectual strength and technology practitioners from a range of top domestic institutions.

“We must not simply be a market for other nations, and we will do that. I have gathered our professors, our experts. I tell you, devote your service to the nation and realise it today,” Prabowo said.

The involvement of the experts and targeted financial support is expected to create a competitive industrial ecosystem, while also addressing the challenges of the rapidly developing vehicle technology transition in the global market.