JAKARTA GLOBE


 

Jakarta. Japanese automotive giant Toyota plans to introduce 10 electric vehicles to the Indonesian market over the next five years, as part of its $2 billion investment pledge to support the Southeast Asian country's push to develop a world-class electric vehicle industry and reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse emissions. 

"Toyota is fully committed to supporting the Indonesian government's efforts to reduce emissions, and also reduce fuel imports for motor vehicles," Yoichi Miyazaki, Toyota's chief executive officer for Asia Region, said in a virtual meeting with the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto on Tuesday. 

Last year, Toyota announced its commitment to invest at least $2 billion in Indonesia's automobile industry over the next five years. Miyazaki reaffirmed the company's commitment, saying that electric vehicles' development and production were on the way until 2025.

"At least, in the next five years, Toyota has prepared 10 types of electric vehicles for Indonesian consumers," Miyazaki said. 

"In our business development plan, Toyota prepares Indonesia to become an export hub for Toyota products, not only for the Asean region but also for other destination countries, so we really prepare the supply chain and human resources," he said. 

Marking its 50th anniversary of operation in Indonesia, Toyota also reiterated its commitment to a sustainable automobile industry that reduces emissions and fossil fuel consumption. 

"Toyota's vehicle technology is also ready to support the implementation of the B30 in Indonesia," Miyazaki said, referring to the government's program to replace 30 percent of diesel fuel with palm-oil based biofuel. 
Toyota estimated its electric vehicle and B30 technology could help Indonesia reduce its fuel consumption by up to 126 million liters by 2025. 

The company also set to carry out the EV Smart Mobility project in Bali to promote electric vehicles in Nusa Dua, Bali's eco-tourism ecosystem. Toyota will collaborate with the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) Nusa Dua in the project. 

Airlangga welcomed Toyota's investment plan, which is in line with the government's effort to create more job opportunities. 

"The government welcomes the investment plan that will be carried out by Toyota, with the hope of creating job opportunities and also increasing the skills or expertise of the Indonesian workforce," Airlangga said. 

Airlangga also hoped that Toyota would consider investing in electric vehicle batteries, taking advantage of Indonesia's ample nickel supplies. 
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has set the electric vehicle industry as the government focus for the next several years, intending to make 20 percent of cars in Indonesia electric by 2025.

The country also seeks to become the global hub for battery and electric vehicle production. 

Besides Toyota, South Korea’s Hyundai Motor has also made an inroad to developing electric vehicles in Indonesia, committing about $1.55 billion in investment. Hyundai expected its manufacturing plant in Wst Java to start production next year.