Vehicle Sales Growth Signals Improving Consumer Spending Power

JAKARTA – The Government has identified signs of recovery in consumer purchasing power, reflected in increased consumption activity within the national automotive sector in early 2026.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that strengthening consumer spending has been visible since mid-2025 and continues into the present year.

“Consumer expenditure ahead of Ramadan is reflected in the Mandiri Spending Index, which reached 360.7 in February 2026. This is driven by consumption of consumer goods, education, and mobility, so the trend continues to rise,” Purbaya said during a press conference on the Budget for the Nation (APBN KiTA) in February 2026 on Thursday (12 March 2026).

“Indicators of improved purchasing power include the automotive industry, which continues its positive trend with car sales growing double digits in February 2026. Motorcycles remained stable at 1 per cent and cars grew by 12 per cent,” he added.

According to Purbaya, this trend continues the strengthening already evident since late last year, particularly November–December 2025.

“Looking at 2025, the trend was consistently positive through September and November last year. It remains positive now. So there is indeed genuine, tangible improvement in consumer purchasing power,” Purbaya continued.

Data from the Association of Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers (Gaikindo) recorded wholesale car sales in February 2026 at 81,159 units, up 22.1 per cent compared to the previous month and increasing 12.2 per cent from the same period last year.

Cumulatively, national car sales for January–February 2026 reached 147,631 units on a wholesale basis, growing 9.8 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Retail sales during this period registered 145,228 units, or an increase of 8.4 per cent year-on-year.