EV Price War Makes Used Car Dealers Wary

KatadataOTO – The recent price war for electric vehicles has apparently made used car dealers more cautious. This is because new models continue to emerge with various advantages, yet prices are becoming more competitive.

This situation forces used car dealers to be more selective in stocking their inventory. It's possible that units they already own might have to be sold for less than their cost, especially after the many models launched at GIIAS 2025.

“We must respond carefully to the launch of electric cars with very competitive prices. Therefore, most dealers will take a wait-and-see approach and be cautious in stocking units,” Chandra Sidik, Head of Trading at Broom, told KatadataOTO (13/08).

Although he didn't disclose specifics, he revealed that some dealers have adjusted their prices. This situation is certainly a last resort for dealers to survive.

Photo : OLX Autos

Nevertheless, he revealed that used car dealers are not anti-EV. They will continue to look for business opportunities available in the market.

“In stocking our inventory, we no longer look at product segmentation and try to be flexible. When the electric vehicle market is up, we will strive to ensure units are available, and vice versa,” Chandra added.

Nevertheless, he did not deny that conventional cars tend to be more stable. So it's understandable that they remain the primary choice for dealers.

Consumers Are Smart

He also revealed that consumers of four-wheeled vehicles, especially used ones, now calculate the pros and cons when making a transaction. This minimizes the risk of disappointment after a purchase.

“Many factors determine a person's purchase, from features and after-sales service to resale value. From there, they will decide whether to buy a conventional or an electric vehicle,” he added.

Photo : KatadataOTO

It's worth noting that recently, the prices of electric cars in Indonesia have become increasingly attractive. Some units even have prices that are competitive with LCGCs.

This situation certainly gives the public more choices in deciding which vehicle to own.