Indonesia Planning To Create Electric “National Cars”

The country of Indonesia is now planning to create a “national car” — an electric one, not a fossil fuel powered one — according to recent reports.

The Research Technology and High Educational Institute Minister for the plan, Muhammad Nasir, commented on the plan (and was pretty clear in his choice of words): “Yes, only electric cars, not ones fueled with oil or other fuels.”

Amongst Nasir’s other comments, he noted that one of the primary reasons for the initiative is that oil supplies are fast “dwindling.” Certainly true — but I admit, it’s still a bit surreal to hear a government official admit as much.

The initiative will include the help of the Malaysian auto manufacturer Proton Holdings Berhard; but is still expected to create a fair number of jobs in Indonesia, despite this.

Proton’s CEO, Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah, commented:

The collaboration will be good as both nations specifically work together to develop products for the larger market. Furthermore, Proton, which has the facilities, capabilities and technology know-how in design, development and manufacturing of cars, is the only company in the ASEAN region with a research and development facility in-house.

No other countries in this region have their own national car project other than providing manufacturing and assembly services.

The CEO of PT Adiperkasa Citra Lestari, Abdullah Mahmud Hendropriyono, (the recent signee of a Memorandum of Understanding with Proton) commented as well:

“We are very happy to be working with Proton and Malaysia in this project. With the expertise that Proton has and our similar culture and environment, we are confident that Proton can help to train and develop a pool of specialist workforce for our automotive industry. This collaboration when materialized will not only spur the Indonesian automotive industry further but also expand knowledge and capabilities of our people.”

Worth noting, is that the two companies won’t be legally joined in obligation, but rather the partnership holds “potential for supplementary business openings,” as InsideEVs worded it in its recent coverage.

Interesting. Partial disengagement from the global economy with a refocusing on national industry and decreased resource use (imported resources, in particular) — where have I heard that combination before?

Image Credit: Proton