Car Sales Update Indonesia: Car Production Capacity Expanding

Cumulatively, Indonesian car sales (wholesales) reached 932,000 units in the first nine months of 2014 according to data from the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (Gaikindo). This is a three percentage point increase from the same period last year (908,000 units). Retail sales grew only 1 percent to 893,000 units over the same period.

In the past two months (July and August 2014) car sales in Indonesia were negatively influenced by several Islamic celebrations (Ramadan and Idul Fitri) resulting in fewer working days and limited distribution channels.

Besides the absence of holidays, September 2014 car sales were also supported by the successful Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2014 event which was held last month.

Gaikindo official Jongkie Sugiarto said that he is optimistic about car sales in the remainder of the year. Gaikindo targets for 1.25 million sold vehicles in full-year 2014. However, several challenges that have to be faced by the industry this year are the slowing economy, a looming fuel price hike before the year-end (causing accelerated inflation and thereby reducing people’s purchasing power), higher minimum wages, and a depreciating rupiah exchange rate (resulting in more expensive imported car components and thus higher car prices).

Meanwhile, Indonesian car production capacity is expected to expand from 1.36 million units per year at end-2013 to 1.9 million units at the end of this year as several car manufacturers have invested in production facilities.

Toyota, sold on the domestic market by Astra International, remains the market leader, commanding a 34 percent market share.

Indonesian Car Sales (CBU):

Month	Sold Cars 2012	Sold Cars 2013	Sold Cars 2014
January	76,427	96,718	103,565
February	86,486	103,279	111,862
March	87,917	95,996	113,096
April	87,144	102,257	106,056
May	95,541	99,697	97,136
June	101,746	104,268	110,560
July	102,511	112,178	91,395
August	76,445	77,964	96,728
September	102,100	115,973	101,801
October	106,754	112,039
November	103,703	111,841
December	89,456	97,694
Total	1,116,230	1,229,904	932,199

	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014¹
Indonesian Car Sales (number of car units)	607,805	486,061	764,710	894,164	1,116,230	1,229,904	1,250,000
Indonesian Exports (number of car units)	100,982	56,669	85,769	107,932	173,368	170,907	200,000