Daihatsu Says Strict Credit Regulations Pressure Car Sales

KatadataOTO – Despite experiencing growth compared to the previous month, Daihatsu's sales figures in May 2025 are still considered low. This is because when compared to the achievements in the same month last year, the record is not yet satisfactory.

Based on Gaikindo data, their retail sales recorded 9,997 units, an increase from the previous month's 9,801 units. However, this growth is still 32.2 percent lower than in May 2024, which reached 14,747 units.

Meanwhile, sales from January - May 2025 reached 56,715 units. That figure is 25.7 percent lower than the same period last year, which reached 76,313 units.

This record immediately received special attention from Daihatsu. According to them, 2025 began with various different challenges compared to previous years.

Photo : KatadataOTO

Starting from the weakening of the rupiah exchange rate, the 12 percent VAT increase for passenger vehicles, the weakening of public purchasing power, to the increasing selectivity of financing companies in providing loans due to rising non-performing loans.

“For Daihatsu, the last factor, which is the rising NPL trend, has a significant impact because, in terms of customer profile, 80 percent make purchases on credit,” said Tri Mulyono, Marketing and Customer Relations Division Head of PT Astra International Tbk. Daihatsu Sales Operation to KatadataOTO (17/06).

Therefore, Daihatsu will implement various strategies to increase vehicle sales. One of them is providing ease in cash purchases, ease in the credit purchasing process, and ease in the trade-in program.

In addition, the sales force also continues to conduct prospecting activities for credit consumers more selectively to increase financing approval from leasing companies.

Not Yet as Expected

Photo : Courtesy

It was previously reported that car wholesales in Indonesia amounted to 60,613 units. This figure grew by 18.4 percent compared to April 2025, which stopped at 51,205 units.

An increase also occurred in new car sales from dealers to consumers (retail), which recorded 61,339 units. This number is an increase from the previous month's 57,030 units.

“Not yet as expected,” said Jongkie Sugiarto, Chairman I of Gaikindo, when contacted by KatadataOTO some time ago.