The Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (GAIKINDO) is still optimistic that in 2024 car sales will reach 1,1 million units. This figure is up slightly compared to the sales target in 2023, namely 1,050 million units.
This target is quite surprising because in 2024 the Indonesian people will be busy with the 2024 Presidential and Vice Presidential General Elections (Pemilu). The campaign period has even started at the end of November 2023 and will culminate in the voting which will be held on February 14, 2024.
However, this busyness did not stop Gaikindo from being optimistic. They believe that car sales in the year of the Wooden Dragon will increase.
“One million, still (2024 car sales target). We hope so. So far, (next year’s target) has not been changed. “The official forecast (projection) is 1.1 million units,” said Gaikindo General Secretary Kukuh Kumara
An optimistic tone was also heard from Gaikindo General Chair Yohannes Nangoi. He said that it is believed that the hustle and bustle of the 2024 Presidential Election, which has started to get busy now, will not have much impact on the national car market in general. That’s why the target continues to be raised.
“We must see that Indonesia is becoming more and more mature in terms of politics. So, in the last five years, during the elections, the effect was not that much. “I hope in this election,the impact on the automotive market will not be too hard,” said Yohannes Nangoi.
However, a different opinion was voiced by Agen Pemegang Merek (APM) in Indonesia. Donny Saputra, Deputy Managing Director of PT Suzuki Indomobil Sales (SIS) Indonesia, said that the end of 2023 alone will be busy with political activities.
He said that after the registration of the presidential and vice presidential candidates, it would be more difficult for the market to move. “Practically, in the last two months (November and December), we have had difficulty selling. “The people’s focus is already on the elections,” said Donny Saputra.
The influence of the presidential election was also agreed upon by Yusak Billy, Sales & Marketing and After Sales Director of PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM). He acknowledged that a political year could affect car sales.
“Usually, if we look at the history of the past five years, it does (affect sales). That’s why we need to continue to monitor developments,” said Billy when met at the Sentul Circuit (19/11/2023).
According to him, his party must prepare anticipatory steps to avoid a significant impact on car sales in the 2024 political year. One of them is by adjusting the availability of units for consumers.
“Don’t get the analysis wrong, then there’s a shortage of vehicles, consumers need more, that’s a problem. Then we have too much stock which is also a problem, that’s why we study it, we monitor market developments very closely, day by day,” he said.
