Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD announced 3 EVs for the Indonesian market on Monday, along with plans to invest $1.3 billion building an EV manufacturing plant in the country.
The launch and factory announcement, attended by top Indonesian officials including Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, marks a major step in BYD’s global expansion and Indonesia’s push into green mobility.
BYD debuted three EV models – the ATTO 3, DOLPHIN, and SEAL – tailored for Indonesian consumers. The move comes as Indonesia attempts to court EV makers to set up factories to take advantage of its rich nickel reserves, a key component in EV batteries.
Last year, Indonesia tried unsuccessfully to convince American EV pioneer Tesla to invest in manufacturing facilities. BYD’s announcement shows the country can compete for top-tier EV production with its favorable investment climate and resources.
BYD’s planned $1.3 billion Indonesian plant would produce 150,000 EVs per year, establish the country as BYD’s manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia, and strengthen China’s first-mover advantage in the region’s transition to electric mobility.
It has factories in China, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Brazil, Hungary, and is now opening one in Indonesia. BYD seems to be playing chess and winning lately.