Many Lubricant Manufacturers Target Indonesia's Automotive Market in the EV Era

KatadataOTO – Entering the era of electrification, many countries are starting to promote the adoption of four-wheeled and two-wheeled electric vehicles. 

In Indonesia, the growth of EVs (Electric Vehicles) is also becoming visible, but the percentage is still far below that of conventional vehicles. This makes it one of the target countries for oil producers to market their products.

“Asia, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia are also choices for both local and international oil players,” said Welmart Purba, National Sales Director of Motul Indonesia in East Jakarta, Friday (31/1).

According to him, in the next few years, there will be many new oil brands, both local and international.

Photo : Courtesy

This is because the use of conventional vehicles still dominates compared to EVs. It seems that a number of manufacturers see the electric car trend in Indonesia as not yet significant.

“Motul does not have the latest data to say what the actual obstacles for EVs are in Indonesia. But perhaps one of the obstacles is policy, and the second is infrastructure,” he said.

Meanwhile, when it comes to electric motorcycles, according to him, there are three types of use: commuting or mobility from home to the office, leisure or hobby, and sport.

So far, according to Welmart, most people use electric motorcycles for mobility needs only.

“These two segments, leisure and sport, I think their growth will be far off, unless the technology can offer the experience that gasoline-engine models have,” he said.

Facing competition and the possibility of new lubricant brands emerging, he revealed that Motul will continue to implement the strategy it has been using in recent years.

According to him, this strategy has proven successful in growing Motul's sales in Indonesia, especially in the last four years.

Photo : KatadataOTO

“We maintain quality and then build a communicative relationship with consumers. Of course, we provide an experience that can only be obtained through purchases (of Motul products),” he emphasized.

For your information, Motul has just announced the lottery winners of the Kebut Hadiah Motul program. Three consumers each won a Subaru Impreza built by Garasi Drift and Jejelogy, a Honda Stylo, and a Custom Yamaha XSR from Atenx Katros Garage.

The program is a form of appreciation for customers and one of Motul's strategies to remain competitive in the Indonesian market.