Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its range of environmentally friendly vehicles in Indonesia.

Among these are the HR-V e:HEV and the Step WGN e:HEV, which were recently launched in the country. The HR-V Hybrid is already produced domestically.

The pricing has been positioned competitively within its class, starting from IDR 460.7 million (US$ 28,100) for the e:HEV Modulo variant and IDR 488 million for the highest variant, the e:HEV RS. The Japanese manufacturer has also indicated that, in the future, production of additional hybrid models may target more affordable segments.

Yulian Karfili, Communication Strategy Sub-Division Head of Honda Prospect Motor (HPM), stated that Honda's electrification strategy in Indonesia is being implemented in stages, beginning with higher segments before expanding to lower ones.

According to him, the key to developing hybrid vehicles lies not only in technological readiness but also in ensuring prices are aligned with consumer purchasing power.

He explained that although hybrid technology carries an inherent cost, it must be balanced with what consumers are willing and able to pay.

Currently, the Honda Brio serves as the backbone of HPM's sales in Indonesia. Due to its significant contribution, discussions regarding the potential introduction of a Brio hybrid have emerged.

However, Yulian emphasised that the realisation of a Brio hybrid requires more time, as the present cost of hybrid technology does not yet allow it to reach the entry-level segment.

He added that although a Brio hybrid remains a longer-term prospect, continuous technological advancement and increasing global production scales are expected to lower the cost of hybrid systems.

Should market conditions prove favourable, the Brio hybrid could become a viable option for Indonesian consumers seeking an environmentally friendly vehicle at a more accessible price point.