Chinese electric vehicle makers including BYD, Chery, and DFSK introduced their first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models in Indonesia at an automotive show near Jakarta that opened to the public on July 30.

The Chinese brands are making a foray into hybrid electric cars, as uncertainty lingers over the Indonesian government’s plan to introduce a new incentive for EVs. The hybrid car market is dominated by Japanese automakers at present. The paucity of public charging stations outside Jakarta, meanwhile, remains a major hurdle to EV takeup in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

While Japanese brands like Toyota and Mitsubishi Motors, as well as their South Korean rival Hyundai, mostly stick to conventional hybrid models, the Chinese companies show a preference for PHEVs.

At the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2026 in Tangerang, on the outskirts of Jakarta, Chinese EV giant BYD unveiled the M6 DM-i, a PHEV version of its popular seven-seat M6 multipurpose vehicle.

“Many consumers are not yet ready to make the switch to fully electric vehicles,” Luther Panjaitan, head of public and government relations at BYD Indonesia, told reporters on July 29.

He added that while many people are interested in EVs, they refrain from buying due to limited charging networks. This means “internal combustion engine cars still dominate the market.”

With a starting price of IDR 298 million (USD 16,558.5), the M6 DM-i has attracted more than 4,000 preorders since bookings started two months ago, Panjaitan said, adding that taxi and ride-hailing companies are also weighing purchases.

“We may introduce additional PHEV models this year,” he added, hinting that BYD might produce some cars locally at its plant in Subang, West Java, which recently opened. The factory is designed to have a production capacity of 150,000 vehicles annually.

DFSK, as well as Chery sub-brands Lepas and Jetour, introduced PHEV models aimed at Indonesian customers at the 11-day automotive show.

DFSK said it has received approximately 1,100 preorders for its E5 Plus SUV. Lepas introduced the L8 PHEV SUV with a starting price of IDR 589 million (USD 32,728), while Jetour rolled out its T2 i-DM, which starts at IDR 688 million (USD 38,229).

Wuling had earlier introduced PHEV offerings in Indonesia, with its Darion MPV and seven-seat Eksion SUV, although the models have yet to match the popularity of the company’s EV lineup.

Chery unveiled its J6 Chery Super Hybrid, a range-extended EV with a claimed driving range of up to 1,000 kilometers per charge. The company has begun taking preorders but has yet to reveal its pricing.

“Consumers are looking for vehicles that offer an electric driving experience without compromising the convenience of long-distance travel,” said Budi Darmawan, vice country director of the Chery business unit.

Not all Chinese carmakers are jumping into the market. Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has shelved a plan to launch its E9 PHEV, a premium model. GAC Indonesia CEO Andry Ciu cited unfavorable market conditions including high fuel prices, the weakening rupiah, and slowing economic growth.

Japanese and South Korean companies, meanwhile, remain focused on conventional hybrid vehicles.

Mitsubishi Motors introduced a hybrid version of its subcompact crossover SUV, the Xforce, its first hybrid car model in Indonesia. Hyundai recently introduced the Staria hybrid MPV.

“We will leverage our nationwide sales and service network to drive growth,” said Atsushi Kurita, president director of the distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Indonesia.

An executive at another Japanese automaker said Chinese brands appear to have recognized the limits of relying solely on fully electric cars in the Southeast Asian country.

“That is why they are broadening their lineups with plug-in hybrids and range-extender models,” the executive said. “Competition is likely to intensify as these vehicles increasingly overlap with the hybrid segment, which has long been a core strength of Japanese automakers.”

The Indonesian government has floated a plan to subsidize 200,000 EVs, split evenly between cars and motorcycles, initially intending to begin the program in June. But as of Thursday, the timing remains unclear.

Between January and June, the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo) reported 69,739 electric car sales in the country, nearly double the number from a year earlier. That represents 18% of total car wholesale purchases in Indonesia during the period. Overall, such sales rose 22% to 386,564 cars, with purchases still dominated by internal combustion engine models. Hybrid car sales jumped 47% to 42,366 vehicles, and PHEVs, while still small, tripled to 5,003 vehicles.

BYD and Jaecoo, another Chery sub-brand, accounted for 5.3% and 4%, respectively, of all sales. While Japanese brands, especially Toyota and Daihatsu, still dominate the Indonesian market, their market shares have declined over the past few years.

This article first appeared on Nikkei Asia. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with Nikkei.

Note: IDR figures are converted to USD at rates of IDR 17996.81 = USD 1 based on estimates as of August 4, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are presented for ease of reference and may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.