BYD to set up $1.3b EV plant in Indonesia, targets operations by 2026

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Chinese automotive manufacturer BYD is investing US$1.3 billion to build an electric vehicle plant in Indonesia. The plant, located around two hours from Jakarta in the West Java province, is expected to begin operations in January 2026, targeting to produce up to 150,000 units per year.

BYD’s investment makes it the latest automaker to set up EV manufacturing operations in Indonesia. South Korea’s Hyundai and China’s Wuling have both had EV plants in the country since 2022.

For the plant, BYD is teaming up with Suryacipta Swadaya, the industrial estate arm of IDX-listed construction firm Surya Internusa Group. Suryacipta owns the Subang Smartpolitan industrial zone, where BYD’s factory will be located.

In a press conference on Thursday, BYD Motor Indonesia president director Eagle Zhao said that the project will provide jobs for “thousands of workers,” local publication Kontan quoted.

The plant development was first revealed by Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia’s coordinating minister for economic affairs, in January. At the time, Zhao said that the company aims to sell in 50 locations across the country by the end of this year.

BYD, which has quickly risen to become a major global EV player, unveiled three electric car models for the Indonesian market earlier this year. It also secured a deal with local taxi company Blue Bird to become its main EV supplier.

See also: Insurtech firm Sunday’s next opportunity: Thailand’s booming EV space

A version of this article was originally published by Nadia K. Putri on Tech in Asia Indonesia.