BYD Motor Indonesia has confirmed that it will stop importing electric cars after its factory in Subang, West Java, begins operations. Models previously imported as completely built-up (CBU) vehicles will gradually be replaced by domestically produced units. Remaining imported vehicles at dealerships will continue to be sold until stocks are exhausted, with no additional supplies planned.

Luther Panjaitan, Head of Public and Government Relations at BYD Motor Indonesia, said the decision to halt imports was related to the company's plans for local production.

"Perhaps there are still remaining supplies from the previous period, and they are already very low," Luther said after the inauguration of the BYD factory in Subang, West Java, on September 3rd, 2026. The decision is also related to BYD's production obligations as a participant in the government's CBU electric car import incentive programme, which has been in place since 2024.

Mandatory production of 92,000 units

Under the programme, BYD was one of six manufacturers that received facilities to import electric cars with 0% import duty and 0% PPnBM. Participating manufacturers are required to produce vehicles in Indonesia in a volume equivalent to the number of vehicles imported under the incentive facility.

"At this time, after calculating the total, we only imported 92,000 units, out of the total quota of 100,000 units," Luther said.

BYD is therefore required to produce at least 92,000 electric cars in Indonesia. The locally produced vehicles must meet established specifications, including battery capacity and electric motor specifications, which must remain unchanged from the imported versions.

The local production obligation applies from January 1st, 2026, to December 31st, 2027. If the requirement is not met, the government can liquidate the bank guarantee provided as collateral. Luther said the company expects to fulfil the obligation within the specified period.

"I think we can fulfil the demand in the next two years, starting from this year. If we look at the current trend, BYD is quite significant in terms of sales," he said.

BYD localises production and stops imports

BYD's Subang plant currently produces the Atto 1 and M6 DM, while the M6 EV and Denza D9 will also be assembled locally. The company has not ruled out adding other models to its domestic production line but is currently prioritising models with higher sales potential.

"Yes, we are committed to stopping (car imports), because we already have (a factory)," Luther said.

BYD models that are still imported include the Dolphin, Atto 3, Seal and Sealion 7. Units already at dealerships will continue to be sold until existing stocks are exhausted.