Only Three Chinese Automakers Have Independently Built Factories in Indonesia

In recent years, more and more Chinese automobile brands have entered the Indonesian market, but not all of them have achieved local factory self-production. To date, only three Chinese automobile brands—Wuling, Dongfeng Sokon (DFSK-SerES), and BYD—have independent vehicle production bases in Indonesia. The remaining brands still rely on fully imported vehicles or cooperative contract manufacturing for local sales.

Wuling was the first Chinese automaker to establish its own factory in Indonesia. The production base is located in Cikarang, West Java, under SGMW Indonesia, and officially commenced production in 2017. In addition to supplying the domestic Indonesian consumer market, this factory also undertakes export production tasks, with products sold to multiple overseas markets, making it an important early manufacturing hub for Chinese automakers in Southeast Asia.

Also in 2017, the DFSK-SerES factory started production at Cikande, Serang, in Banten Province, with the operating entity being PT Sokonindo Automobile. This production base manufactures both DFSK-branded models and Seres-series products. It has now become an important new energy vehicle manufacturing base in Indonesia, with models such as the DFSK Super Cab being produced here.

The latest addition to the self-built factory camp is BYD. On September 3, 2026, BYD's production base in Subang, West Java, was officially inaugurated. The factory has a planned annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles and has already absorbed 5,000 local Indonesian employees. With the official launch of the Subang factory, BYD has become the third Chinese automaker to own independent vehicle manufacturing facilities in Indonesia.

Apart from the above three, other Chinese automobile brands entering the Indonesian market have not yet built their own vehicle factories. They mainly rely on completely built-up imports or cooperative contract manufacturing with local companies to bring products to the Indonesian consumer market. Building a self-owned factory entails significant fixed asset investment, but it allows better alignment with local policies, shortens supply cycles, and promotes local employment and the development of the parts supply chain. It is also a significant indicator of Chinese automakers' deep cultivation of the Southeast Asian market. As Indonesia's new energy policies continue to advance, more Chinese automakers may consider establishing local self-built production lines in the future.