Asia Tech Wire (July 19) -- Toyota and its Japanese counterparts are trying to maintain their share in Indonesia by ramping up the launch of hybrid cars, according to Nikkei.
Indonesia's biggest auto show, the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), opened on Thursday outside Jakarta. The show will run until July 28th.
During the auto show, Toyota and other Japanese companies, which account for more than 90% of Indonesia's new car market, unveiled new hybrid cars one after another.
On the day of the opening ceremony, Toyota announced the introduction of the Prius hybrids to the Indonesian market, including a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
Indonesian consumers can't buy the locally made Prius hybrids directly, but wait for imports from Japan.
Of these, the Prius HEV sells for about Rp 698 million (about $43,255).
Apart from Toyota, Honda has also revealed the hybrid Step WGN.
As for Nissan, it unveiled the Serena, an MPV that utilizes its own hybrid technology, e-power.
Mitsubishi Motors also said during the auto show that the company will consider launching hybrid vehicles in Indonesia in the future.