New BYD EVs are set to roll of its new production line from its new Indonesian factory in 2026.
In spite of it having only landed in Indonesia relatively recently, BYD has nevertheless wasted no time in asserting its dominance over there. And this show of strength has recently been intensified by the news of this Chinese EV juggernaut being set to build a $1 billion (RM 4.8 billion) factory in West Java, with plans for it to be operational in the surprisingly short timeline of January 2026.
Following on from the prior announcement earlier in the year of its plans to build a plant in Indonesia, it has since been confirmed by Indonesian property developer Suryacipta Swadaya on Tuesday announced that BYD will build its factory on 1.08 square kilometres of land in West Java province. More specifically, the Chinese EV giant will serve as the largest tenant in the Subang Smartpolitan industrial park.
This new factory is only set to break ground later this august, with BYD having yet to reiterate a production capacity for this upcoming plant after its prior 150,000 unit target announced earlier this year. It is nevertheless reported that plans are afoot for the Chinese EV giant to establish a comprehensive electric vehicle ecosystem in its Indonesian factory including a research and development centre and training facilities equipped with the latest energy-saving and environmental protection technologies.
Eagle Zhao, President of BYD Auto Indonesia and General Manager of BYD Asia Pacific, stated that this partnership agreement is the first step in the strategic initiative to develop an EV ecosystem in Indonesia. “After various evaluations, BYD believes that the Subang Smartpolitan industrial zone is a suitable location for the development of BYD’s electric vehicle industry in Indonesia.”
“This industrial zone meets the standards in terms of area, distance, environment, and the infrastructure we need, so we are confident that the facilities to be built will promote the growth of the Indonesian automotive industry,” he adds. Mr. Zhao then went on to state: “We are confident that the facilities to be built will be able to drive the growth of Indonesia’s automotive industry and transition towards clean energy while also supporting the economy, especially in the surrounding region.”
Set to be joining Hyundai and Wuling in locally manufacturing its EVs over there, this new BYD manufacturing site in Indonesia will be its second in ASEAN after Thailand and fifth proposed outside of its home base of China thus far. It remains to be seen of course whether this Indonesian site will be joined by another production facility across the Malaccan strait, as has long been rumoured to potentially come online in the next couple of years.
BYD currently has a lineup of 3 EVs in Indonesia: the Dolphin, Atto 3 and Seal. Initial deliveries of its Dolphin are expected to begin in July, with the Chinese automaker aiming to open at least 50 dealerships in the country by the end of this year.
