2024 Car Imports Rise, Toyota Leads

KatadataOTO – Car imports in 2024 experienced a significant increase compared to 2023. This is due to the increasing number of manufacturers entering the country without yet opening production facilities.

Based on Gaikindo data, the number of cars imported from January to December 2024 was 97,010 units. That figure is 8,095 more than the previous year's total of 88,915 units, a growth of 9.1 percent.

Of that total, Toyota became the largest vehicle importer, bringing in 33,594 units and thus controlling 40.2 percent. That number is down 6.1 percent, or about 2,193 units, from 2023's total of 35,787 units.

BYD became the second-largest manufacturer, having brought in 16,767 units throughout 2024. The Chinese manufacturer controls 17.3 percent of the country's total imported vehicles.

Photo : TrenOto

Next is Suzuki, which occupies the third position after bringing in 12,542 vehicle units throughout 2024. That number is up 12 percent, or 1,347 units, from the previous year's 11,195 units.

Then, Mitsubishi Motors is in fourth position with a total import of 5,822 units. This figure decreased by 54 percent, or 6,848 units, from 2023's total of 12,670 units.

Mazda closes out the top five largest importers in Indonesia after bringing in 4,377 units, a decrease of 943 units or about 17.7 percent. In 2023, the number of units imported was 5,320.

Top 10 Brands with the Most Car Imports in 2024

Brand	Total
Toyota	33,594
BYD	16,767
Suzuki	12,542
Mitsubishi Motors	5,822
Mazda	4,377
Honda	4,263
Lexus	2,460
Hyundai – HMID	1,906
BMW	1,847
Citroen	1,324
Others	12,108
Total	97,010

Gaikindo Urges for CKD

Photo : KatadataOTO

While welcoming the arrival of new manufacturers to Indonesia, Gaikindo hopes these brands will invest and assemble vehicles locally. This is important for the sustainability of the country's automotive industry.

“I told the new brands not to import CBU, but to go straight to CKD with pre-painted car bodies. The investment is lighter,” said Jongkie D. Sugiarto, Chairman I of Gaikindo at ICE BSD, Tangerang some time ago.

If cars are assembled domestically, Jongkie reiterated, some of the components used can be sourced from within the country. This can create jobs and support local industries.