Gaikindo on Indonesia's National Car: Depends on the Government

KatadataOTO – Malaysia's car sales figures in the second quarter of 2025 recorded a positive result of 183,366 units. This surpassed Indonesia, which sold 169,578 units in the same period.

Although Indonesia still leads in sales for the first half of 2025, this has drawn the attention of several parties.

Interestingly, Malaysian-made national cars are said to have contributed significantly to supporting sales there. The two mainstay products are Proton Saga and Perodua Alza.

The presence of a national car, according to observers, can help maintain production volume and sales stability.

Photo : Proton

In Malaysia, both Proton and Perodua are sold at prices adjusted to the purchasing power of the middle class. This allows them to reach their target consumers amidst various economic challenges.

In response to this, the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo) revealed that a national car could also possibly be developed domestically.

“A national car is very possible to be made by the existing industry. (The question is) whether it is necessary or not,” said Jongkie Sugiarto, Chairman I of Gaikindo, to KatadataOTO recently.

However, many things need to be addressed if Indonesia is serious about selling a national car, especially considering the past experience of Esemka customers who never received their units several years after placing their orders.

In fact, in April 2025, a prospective customer of the Esemka Bima car sued the vehicle manufacturer for feeling aggrieved.

However, at GIIAS 2025, there was a prototype of an electric national car product from PT Teknologi Militer Indonesia named i2C.

“If it is now deemed necessary (to have a national car), then the requirements and regulations just need to be created,” Jongkie stated.

The Public Awaits the Arrival of a National Car

Automotive observers believe there are still people who are looking forward to a national car being marketed.

The presence of four-wheeled vehicle products from Polytron and i2C is said to be able to garner a positive reception and restore trust in local brands.

“The public still hopes for a national car brand, our pride,” said Yannes Martinus Pasaribu, an academic from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and an automotive observer, when met on the sidelines of GIIAS 2025 some time ago.

Photo : Courtesy

With a good roadmap and planning, the presence of a national car can be a solution to help boost sales. The government's big task is to convince consumers to buy it.

Yannes also emphasized that a national or local car brand must be supported by an adequate dealer network and unit availability.

“Ideally, we should have (a national car). We should not be a net importer country,” said Yannes.