China's Seres Group Reaffirms Rp 2.4 Trillion Investment to Produce 50,000 Vehicles a Year in Indonesia
Key Takeaways
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Seres Group Vice President Clifford Kang reaffirms on Monday, Aug 25, 2025, that the company will continue investing Rp 2.4 trillion, or about $150 million, to expand localized production in Indonesia through the Seres Sokonindo plant in Banten, which has capacity for 50,000 vehicles a year.
Seres entered Indonesia in 2013 with a strategy centered on localization and completed the Seres Sokonindo factory in 2018 as Banten’s first modern energy vehicle facility. More than 85% of its employees are Indonesian, underscoring the company’s contribution to jobs and industrial capability.
The investment figure is restated in the body as Rp 2.4 trillion ($150 million) to align with the style of giving a parenthetical equivalent on first body mention.
“This factory stands as proof of intelligent manufacturing and technological innovation. It represents our commitment to produce in Indonesia for Indonesia,” Kang said at Road to Indonesia: Closing Ceremony – Celebrating 75 Years of Indonesia–China Friendship at the Shangri-La Jakarta.
He added that Seres would keep investing, expand local operations, and deepen partnerships that support Indonesia’s new energy vehicle ecosystem.
The company linked its long-term plan to the 75th anniversary of Indonesia–China relations, noting that automotive technology helps connect people and markets across the region. Seres framed its vision as intelligence redefining luxury, positioning Chinese innovation as part of Southeast Asia’s broader automotive transformation.
Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong welcomed the message, highlighting the Aito M9 electric vehicle — a flagship model co-developed by Huawei and Seres — as a showcase of China’s EV innovation and a symbol of closer ties.
He credited the Indonesia–China Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KIKT) led by Garibaldi “Boy” Thohir for bringing the model to Jakarta as part of the anniversary program, and said China stood ready to collaborate with Indonesia on research, development, and EV ecosystem building.
Wang also pointed to wider opportunities in critical minerals, infrastructure, high technology, artificial intelligence, education, healthcare, and culture, areas he said would shape the next chapter of bilateral cooperation and support Indonesia’s industrial ambitions.
Aito M9 Profile
The Aito M9 is a premium SUV co-developed by Huawei and Seres that has earned top safety recognition under China’s C-NCAP assessments, outperforming key rivals in overall scores. It offers six seats in a 2+2+2 layout and integrates advanced driver-assistance features with a high-spec interior aimed at the upper family segment.
The battery electric variant delivers an estimated 523 horsepower via dual motors paired with a 100 kWh battery pack, with a claimed 630 km range under China’s CLTC cycle.
The extended-range version produces about 489 horsepower and provides a quoted electric-only range of roughly 225 to 275 km on the same standard. Pricing starts from 469,800 yuan to 569,800 yuan (Rp 1 billion to Rp 1.26 billion).
Why It Matters for Indonesia
Seres’ expanded footprint in Banten signals growing confidence in Indonesia’s role within the regional EV supply chain. Localization of manufacturing and talent supports upstream-to-downstream integration, while visibility from models like the Aito M9 helps catalyze consumer adoption.
Beijing’s stated readiness to collaborate on research and development complements Indonesia’s aims to build a domestic EV ecosystem and strengthen industrial competitiveness.
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