Mitsubishi is looking to launch two electric vehicles (EV) in Indonesia by early 2024 according to a report by OtoDriver. The Indo automotive website also speculated that one of the EVs might be based on the Xpander.

“Early next year, we are planning to launch an EV for the commercial sector as well as one for the passenger car market which we plan to unveil at GIIAS (Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show) 2024,” Director of Sales and Marketing for PT Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Sales Indonesia (MMKSI), Irwan Kuncoro told OtoDriver.

Irwan also told the Indonesian site that these upcoming EVs could be assembled locally (CKD) to support the archipelago’s government programs and receive incentives. “The (Indonesian) government is currently giving incentives to encourage local production of EVs in the country, so we are considering that,” he explained.

Also read: Mitsubishi to introduce kei EVs for ASEAN, Minicab MiEV to be produced in Indonesia

Mitsubishi has shown two of its existing EVs at GIIAS 2023 – the Minicab MiEV and eK X EV. The latter seem to be the most feasible for commercial use in the archipelago and a few units have been trialled by local Indonesian companies and government-related bodies.

Also read: Logistics goes electric in Indonesia as Mitsubishi conducts feasibility studies with Minicab-MiEVs

Meanwhile, the eK X EV is a kei car which is only available in Japan currently but it does pose interesting competition against the small Wuling Air, Indonesia’s second best-selling EV of 2023 so far.

Also read: The affordable EV is here, but few are buying it - Hyundai Ioniq 5 outsells Wuling Air nearly 2x in Indonesia

Still, OtoDriver’s theory on the Xpander EV’s is interesting as the 7-seater crossover’s production base is in Indonesia. It doesn’t seem likely that the electric Xpander that could be shown at GIIAS 2024 would be production-ready and would likely be a concept like the Innova EV from the 2022 Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS).

Also read: Closer look at the Toyota Innova EV Concept previewed at the 2022 IIMS; Up to 300 km range on one charge

Plans on an electrified Xpander aren’t just restricted to purely battery-powered though. Rumours of the Xpander Hybrid have been floating around for years but Japanese business publication, Nikkei reported that it could be produced in Thailand with the Kingdom becoming the base for the Xpander Hybrid.

Also read: Report: Mitsubishi Xpander Hybrid to be produced (CKD) in Thailand in early 2024