Japanese automotive executives apparently have a special view regarding the progress of Chinese cars in Indonesia. Most of them admit that Chinese cars are very aggressive, including when selling in Indonesia.
They even see that there are several advantages that Chinese car manufacturers need to pay attention to. Especially regarding the electric cars they brought to Indonesia.
Atsushi Kurita, President Director of PT Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Sales Indonesia (MMKSI) said that Chinese electric cars have advantages in batteries. He said these batteries make electric cars made in China have a very high mileage.
“Moreover, they already have a very sophisticated electric car battery factory,” explained Atsushi Kurita.
He continued that conditions were different from Japanese car manufacturers. This is because the Japanese automotive industry did not immediately move from conventional cars to pure electrics.
The switch was made from conventional cars to hybrids. From there, the battery that is made is prioritized to support the performance of hybrid cars.
As a result, there is a slight difference in mileage capability between batteries made in Japan and China. “Now we are trying to move from hybrid car batteries to electric cars. I am sure we will be able to catch up with the range of electric car batteries,” he said.
In a different place, Honda Motor Co CEO Toshihiro Mibe also praised car manufacturers from China, recognizing their prowess in electrification technology.
Toshihiro Mibe even openly acknowledged the greatness of Chinese car manufacturers. “I even just met with BYD and tried various electric vehicles in China,” said Toshihiro Mibe when met at Honda’s head office in the Aoyama area, Japan.
“From the basic things of a car, such as running, turning and stopping, the development of smart vehicles in China has been very advanced,” he said.
