Fan-favourite Wuling Mini EV could be assembled in Indonesia and exported globally

In line with Indonesia’s push to go green, Wuling has also announced plans to start the assembly of more electric vehicles (EV) in their factory in West Java. One of the EVs that will be CKD-ed is rumoured to be the super popular Wuling Hongguang Mini EV.

The Wuling factory in West Java spans 60 hectares and was built according to Global Manufacturing System (GMS) model. The facility can roll out 120,000 cars per year. The number can be increased to 150,000 units a year when needed.

Although Wuling did not exactly specify which EV they plan to assemble in Indonesia first, Wuling Motors President Shi Guoyong did say that the factory will be retooled to assemble cars built on the Global Small Electric Vehicle (GSEV) platform.

The platform underpins the popular Hongguang Mini EV as well as the E100, E200, and E300. The aforementioned models are popular EVs in China due to its size and low price that range from CNY 49,000 to CNY 80,000 (around RM 32,000 to RM 52,000). 

The modern tech on the EVs like autonomous (driverless) technology and in-car entertainment is expected to be adapted according to the wants and needs of the people in Indonesia.

As of yet, Wuling has not announced a timeline for when it will kick start its EV assembly plans in Indonesia but it did announce that it will inject an investment of USD 700 million (around RM 29 million) into the project.

Wuling has come a long way since it first set up shop in Indonesia. The move to start EV assembly in the country is the third step in the brand’s plan to conquer the market now that they have established itself in terms of sales and after-sales experience.

The Indonesian Minister of Transport, Budi Karya Sumadi, along with the Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, and Health Minister Budi Gunadi recently visited the production facility.

During their visit, they were given a chance to sample a few of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV and the E100. Both cars are demo units as the models are not on sale in Indonesia yet.