Indonesia has reportedly asked Chinese automaker Geely to help it build a homegrown electric car by 2025 or 2026, with the brand supposedly agreeing to the request. This was revealed by senior Indonesian minister Luhut Pandjaitan, who oversees regulations on natural resources and investment, during a seminar in the republic earlier this week.
“I have offered Geely, do you want to make cars in Indonesia, but be an Indonesian brand and do the research in Indonesia? They said yes,” he said.
He added that the offer would be packaged with Indonesia supplying nickel ore to produce electric vehicle (EV) batteries, but the research must be led by Indonesia, as Reuters reports. Geely has not responded to a request for comment on the matter, the wire agency said.
A potential model for the market could be the Geely Panda Mini, a four-seater with just two doors and a tiny footprint that could go up against the Wuling Air. As for the apparent overture by Indonesia, it comes following news last month that the carmaker had supposedly cancelled EV production plans in Thailand and was looking to switch its focus to Malaysia.
Indonesia has been trying to court automakers to invest in EV production in the country, offering access to its rich nickel reserves, which is a key component of EV batteries. It has however had mixed success so far.
Last month, China’s Hozon New Energy Automobile and Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors signaled their investment commitments in EV production in the republic, but the government’s efforts to win investment from carmakers such as Tesla and BYD have yet to materialise.
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We can help too! Just brand your cars BYO
Jokowi once again proven he is miles ahead of Anwar. Once his term is up, lets ask them if we can trade leaders thou I doubt they will want our lalang ketum.
Just learn from P1 & P2
Guys…unlimited supply of roast lamb oops we mean nickel there. Tunggu apa lagi?
How about our EV Madani? Still choosing a partner, but it can’t avoid China’s brands.
Haiya, dia buat mild hybrid pun sudah terbakar ni nak suh buat full EV. For all you know, they ask you balik to for help to approach Elon Musk.
Courting the master even when they have wive in Malaysia but guess these places allows for multiple wives so whom ever can satisfy better wins the day happy.
Congratulations to Indonesia, our neighbour. At least they made an effort to promote the growth and prosperity of the nation. They appear to be role models for our corrupt and dishonest ministers.
What about Tesla? Have they abandoned you, Mr Konoha? HAHAHA
My question is, why should Indonesians felt abandoned or mad if Tesla chose Malaysia than Indonesia? Imo it just pure business, much like you buy car from one dealer who offers the most value after visiting two or more car dealers. It’s simple as that. There is no proud value for that. At the end of the day, the sky won’t fall for Indonesians or others that Tesla didn’t enter if it (Tesla-red) chose malaysia.
That is what everybody saying but Indonesians in general love to mock and belittle Malaysia regarding these. Their medias too pitting us against one another.
Indonesia is progressing fast. 1st High speed rail in South East Asia. Now EV venture pulak. China really help build nations. Hope India can contribute to the world like China too instead of bad mouthing and pulling others down.
Why should geely spend money building indonesian EV by 2026 when it could have build a Proton EV by 2026?
Ermmmm because you can sell it to 280mil population instead of 33 million population – that 8.5x size is massive.
Because we have a useless gomen led by an equally useless leader.
You’re right about that!
Guys, somebody interested with our combustible vehicles
Java sinking in plastic pollution outside Jakarta is one big slum, West Papua is a sheet hole now only Bali can safe them and with 200 million mice now they want to pollute Borneo and sink that too. Leaching on to Malaysia success make road to Kuching and send over the unworthy undocumented slob looking for job and places to sapu. Why don’t they fix other pressing matters instead of HS Rail and cars.
you sound like a jealous loser. From Endia?
Malaysia and Indoniesia has benefited so much from China. But what’s their treatment towards the local Chinese community? One China, One Chinese!
Padan muka
Bagus juga ni, kita kena kuatkan rantau asia tenggara ni. Sbb ini lah peluang utk kita semua maju ke depan sementara benua lain sedang berkecamuk.