PT Chery Sales Indonesia (CSI) is set to invest IDR 250 billion for the production of their first electric vehicle in Indonesia, the OMODA 5E. Currently, the electric car has already garnered 400 orders.
Established in 1997 in China under the name Chery Automobile Co Ltd, a globalized automobile brand. Currently, the company cooperates with PT Handal Indonesia Motor (HIM) in Indonesia to assemble Chery’s vehicles.
“Chery’s investment in Indonesia for the production of this EV reaches IDR 250 billion as the initial phase to support our CKD process,” Rifki Setiawan, Head of Brand at PT Chery Sales Indonesia (CSI), stated on December 3, 2023.
Despite sharing facilities with other automotive manufacturers at HIM. Rifki is optimistic that the production of their electric vehicles will not be disrupted. The first batch of electric cars is expected to reach customers in February 2024.
“We have started production this month, and we hope to fulfill the 400 orders by January. So, in Q1 2024, precisely in February, we should be able to deliver these 400 units,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Rifki mentioned that Chery, a leader in exports in China for 20 consecutive years, does not plan to solely rely on PT Handal’s facilities. Chery has plans to establish its own factory and research center in Indonesia.
According to Rifki, Chery aims to make Indonesia the production base for countries using the right-hand drive platform, demonstrating Chery’s commitment to Indonesia in the automotive industry.
“Our founder has visited and met with policymakers in the country, and agreements have been signed regarding future investments,” he added.
This move underscores Chery’s seriousness in the Indonesian automotive industry. Beyond the Omoda and Tiggo Series, various other Chery brands are expected to enter Indonesia, including Jaecoo, which is rumored to hit the Indonesian market soon.
According to the latest data from the environmentally friendly technology site CleanTechnica, China dominates the list of best-selling global electric cars throughout September 2023. Notably, 8 out of the top 10 electric cars produced by BYD Automotive and GAC Group lead the global sales chart for the period.
CleanTechnica records global electric car sales reaching 1.29 million units in September 2023, a 23% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
