Jakarta, April 10, 2026 – The Europe Today: President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday inaugurated Indonesia’s first commercial electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant in Magelang, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transition toward cleaner transportation and industrial self-reliance.
The facility, operated by PT VKTR Sakti Industries, focuses on assembling electric buses and trucks. It is equipped with internationally standardized testing systems, including road and flood tests, underscoring Indonesia’s commitment to advancing sustainable mobility solutions.
Speaking at the inauguration, President Prabowo commended the role of domestic private enterprises in driving industrialization and strengthening national capabilities. He expressed optimism about the company’s future, drawing comparisons with established global automotive brands. “If Japan has Isuzu and Hino, and Korea has Hyundai and Daewoo, I hope that in a few years we will see VKTR as one of Indonesia’s champions,” he said.
VKTR Commissioner President Anindya Novyan Bakrie highlighted that the company was founded with a vision centered on decarbonization and economic independence. He emphasized that electric vehicles are essential to reducing reliance on imported fuels and supporting Indonesia’s ambitious net-zero emissions target by 2060.
He further noted that the company is prioritizing the development of electric buses and trucks to accelerate the growth of the national EV ecosystem, pointing out that many countries historically began building their automotive industries through commercial vehicle production.
According to the company, its local content level—known as Tingkat Komponen Dalam Negeri (TKDN)—has already reached 40 percent. VKTR aims to increase this to 60 percent within the year and further to 80 percent by 2028, reflecting a strong commitment to domestic value creation.
In addition to vehicle assembly, VKTR is actively expanding green mobility infrastructure, including the development of charging networks, and investing in innovative technologies such as retrofitting conventional gasoline-powered vehicles into electric ones.
The Magelang plant is part of a broader Rp5 trillion investment by the Bakrie Group and operates in collaboration with local coachbuilders and strategic partners in the public transport and logistics sectors, reinforcing Indonesia’s drive toward a sustainable and resilient automotive industry.
