BAIC BJ40 Plus Locally Assembled in Indonesia Launches End of May, Price Drops

KatadataOTO – Chinese manufacturer, BAIC has started local assembly of the SUV BJ40 Plus at the PT HIM (Handal Indonesia Motor) facility in Purwakarta. 

For your information, the BJ40 Plus is a conventional-engine off-road SUV said to fill the class between the 5-door Suzuki Jimny and the Jeep Rubicon.

It's interesting because the model is sold at an attractive price below IDR 1 billion. Additionally, its tough Wrangler-style design is a unique attraction.

“The BJ40 Plus has been confirmed, we are now in the trial (production) phase. In the next month, we might be able to invite friends to attend our local assembly launch,” said Dhani Yahya, Chief Operating Officer of BAIC Indonesia, when met in Tangerang on Tuesday (29/04).

Photo : KatadataOTO

It should be noted that in the initial stage, assembly is done via SKD (Semi Knocked Down), where the vehicle arrives in a semi-finished condition from the facility in China.

Component assembly is carried out in Purwakarta before it undergoes the process of becoming a complete vehicle marketed to consumers.

The BJ40 Plus is BAIC's flagship model in Indonesia, contributing the highest sales figures compared to the X55-II.

This was the basis for BAIC's decision to locally assemble the off-road SUV, due to its relatively high sales volume.

“(Local production) of the X55-II, we're talking business-wise, if the volume is sufficient for us to do CKD (Completely Knocked Down), we will propose it,” said Dhani.

By the end of December 2024, BAIC had successfully sold nearly 400 units of the BJ40 Plus. Meanwhile, its sibling, the X55-II, sold 70 units.

If the sales figures for the X55-II can catch up to the BJ40 Plus, BAIC intends to consider a CKD version of the X55-II.

Photo : KatadataOTO

For your information, the BAIC BJ40 Plus is sold for around IDR 793 million OTR (on the road) Jakarta. The SUV is equipped with a 2,000 cc turbocharged engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

On paper, the BAIC BJ40 Plus can produce 221 hp with a peak torque of 380 Nm, delivered to all four wheels using a 4x4 drivetrain with Electronic Selection and Differential Lock.

Once it is assembled domestically, there is a chance its price could drop by 10 percent or around IDR 70 million from the initial price.