Gasgoo Munich-A business delegation led by Dr. Muhammad Mufthi Mubarok, chairman of Indonesia’s BPKN, recently visited Zotye Auto, where they were received by Chairman and President Han Biwen and other executives. Following discussions and a tour of the facilities, the two sides reached a preliminary strategic consensus on cooperation across the new energy vehicle supply chain. They will now move forward with preliminary research and planning.
Image source: Zotye Auto
The discussions covered a wide range of topics related to establishing a presence in Indonesia’s NEV sector, including overseas plant layout, core technology collaboration, power battery supply chain development, local talent cultivation, and export strategies for the Southeast Asian market.
Indonesian officials noted that while the country boasts abundant nickel reserves and significant room for growth in the NEV market, its local vehicle manufacturing ecosystem remains weak. Consequently, it needs to attract external automakers to help drive industrial development.
In response to Indonesia’s industrial base and resource conditions, Zotye outlined a phased cooperation strategy. The first phase involves using semi-knocked-down (SKD) kits to fast-track production and gradually increase the localization of parts. The second phase proposes building a smart factory with an annual capacity of 150,000 units. This facility would cover the four major vehicle manufacturing processes and power battery production lines, while producing NEVs for passenger, logistics, and pickup segments.
Furthermore, Zotye proposed transferring its R&D, manufacturing, and quality control systems, along with transplanting supply chain resources, to establish a localized service ecosystem integrating sales, maintenance, and training. These proposals remain preliminary intentions and have not yet been finalized.
The delegation toured Zotye’s NEV production workshops, prototype lines, and component testing zones. They observed the complete stamping, welding, painting, and assembly processes, with a particular focus on economical passenger EVs and urban logistics NEVs tailored for the Southeast Asian market.
Both parties agreed to maintain close contact, steadily advance preliminary project work, and explore further cooperation in areas such as the lithium battery industry and cross-border trade. It should be noted that only a preliminary consensus has been reached; no formal agreement has been signed. There remains significant uncertainty regarding the project’s investment scale, construction timeline, and implementation results. Specific developments will be disclosed by the company in due course.
