Otodiva – At the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2024, Takao Kato, CEO Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, announced that Mitsubishi will start selling hybrid cars in Indonesia in 2025. This decision was taken after considering the condition of infrastructure in Indonesia which is not yet ready to support pure electric vehicles.
Kato explained, “As I said, Infrastructure in Indonesia is currently not ready to accept pure electric cars.” Therefore, Mitsubishi chose to introduce a hybrid car first as a first step.
Mitsubishi has high hopes for the presence of their hybrid cars in the Indonesian market. They are even targeting a significant increase in sales by launching this hybrid model. “We are confident that our hybrid product will be very strong and can increase sales volume in Indonesia,” Kato emphasized.
In the global market, Mitsubishi released the Xpander Hybrid in Thailand in February 2024, which has proven successful in the market. Apart from Xpander, Mitsubishi also offers the Xpander Cross which is equipped with hybrid technology. Both models use new, more efficient engines.
The Xpander and Xpander Cross HEV use the engine 1.600 cc combined with an electric motor and battery. This system combines a generator and a motor 85 kW with petrol engine 1.600 cc, as well as a battery developed specifically for this model. This new machine, MIVEC4 16-valve 1,6 L DOHC, adopts high expansion ratio cycle (Atkinson cycle) to increase combustion efficiency. Besides that, This machine also uses an electric water pump, which was first used by Mitsubishi Motors, to reduce mechanical losses.
According to Mitsubishi, fuel consumption of this hybrid model is more efficient by approx 34 percent when used in urban areas, based on the New European Driving Cycle test procedures (N.E.D.C). Meanwhile, fuel efficiency increases by approx 15 percent for combined routes.
With this step, Mitsubishi hopes to overcome the challenges of electricity infrastructure in Indonesia and offer solutions that are more suited to current market conditions. The Xpander Hybrid is expected to be an attractive alternative for consumers who want to switch to more environmentally friendly vehicles, but are not yet fully ready to use pure electric vehicles.
