The Outlook for the Automotive Oil Business Amidst Sluggish Motorcycle and Car Sales

KatadataOTO – The Indonesian automotive industry is facing a storm. Sales of new cars and motorcycles during April 2025 were far from the target.

Looking at data from Gaikindo (Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries), last month only 51,025 four-wheeled vehicles were sent from factories to dealers (wholesales).

This number is a 27.8 percent correction compared to March 2025, which was at 70,895 units.

Not just cars, the motorcycle market is in a similar situation. AISI (Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association) reported that in April 2025 there were only 406,691 units.

Photo : TrenOto

The figure above plummeted by 24 percent compared to the previous month. Whereas in March 2025, it managed to reach 541,684 two-wheeled vehicles.

In fact, the achievement in April 2025 was the worst so far this year. Because it was below 500 thousand units.

Looking at the data above, this unsatisfactory condition certainly has the potential to have a negative impact on other business lines in the automotive world. For example, for the sales of lubricants in the country.

However, Deltalube has not felt the negative effects of the weakening sales of new motorcycles and cars in the country.

“Currently, for the automotive segment, we are not (feeling the impact),” said Resa Azhara, Marketing Manager of PT TRKM Group when met in Jakarta, Wednesday (21/05).

Resa further explained that they are not targeting the new car or motorcycle segment. But rather, older vehicles.

Therefore, the sales of their vehicle oil are not affected by the current situation.

“In our catalog, we don't really want to follow the specifications of the latest cars or motorcycles. Because that's not our market,” Resa continued.

Furthermore, the number of two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles already on Indonesian roads is quite large. So their lubricant or engine oil business remains secure.

Moreover, their market share is also quite large for lubricants in diesel-engine cars. So Deltalube's business line is currently running normally.

“Besides diesel, our gasoline segment for motorcycles is also quite strong,” Resa affirmed.

Photo : KatadataOTO

For your information, Deltalube has several engine oil products that can be used in consumer cars or motorcycles.

Take for example Deltalube Daily 757 Premium 10W-30, intended for users of automatic motorcycles.

Next, there is Deltalube Daily 757 Premium Diesel 15W-40. This one, in particular, can be used in diesel cars