Trade Minister: Vehicle Sales Rise, Indicating Strong Purchasing Power

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Budi Santoso stated that motor vehicle sales are showing a positive trend ahead of the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2026 period, reflecting increasingly strong consumer purchasing power.

Based on data from the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (GAIKINDO), wholesale car sales or distribution from factories to dealers in February 2026 totalled 81,159 units. This figure represents a 22.1 per cent increase compared to January 2026, which reached 66,472 units.

“The main driver of this increase in motor vehicle sales is the need for cars among Indonesian people who wish to travel home for Eid. This figure indicates that consumer purchasing power remains stable throughout Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr,” said Budi during a press conference on the Impact of Eid al-Fitr on Trade and Tourism at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.

In addition, retail sales or from dealers to consumers also experienced an increase. In February 2026, car retail sales reached 78,219 units, up 16.7 per cent from January 2026’s 66,447 units.

Not only cars, but motorcycle sales also recorded growth. Data from the Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association (AISI) shows that motorcycle wholesale distribution in February 2026 reached 587,354 units, an increase of around 1.7 per cent compared to January 2026’s 577,763 units.

Budi is optimistic that car and motorcycle sales will continue to rise in March 2026.

“In March 2026, it is optimistically predicted that car and motorcycle sales are expected to increase by 15 to 20 per cent compared to February,” he said.