Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo underscored the importance of electric vehicles in shaping the future of the Indonesian automotive industry at the opening of the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2024 at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta. 

"The future of the Indonesian automotive industry revolves around electric cars, particularly given our abundant raw materials such as nickel," Jokowi said on Thursday.

According to Jokowi, the government is actively prioritizing the development of electric vehicles, which includes offering incentives to promote their adoption.

After the opening ceremony, Jokowi toured the exhibition area to inspect the vehicles showcased by various automotive brands. He appeared highly enthusiastic, particularly about the numerous electric cars featured at each exhibitor's booth.

However, Jokowi mentioned that he has no intention of purchasing any of them to add to his collection. He stated that he was merely exploring the displayed car collections at IIMS 2024.

"We already have plenty of cars at the State Palace," Jokowi remarked when asked about his sought-after cars at the motor show.

Dyandra Promosindo, the organizer of IIMS 2024, aims to attract 470,000 visitors during the exhibition. The event is targeted to generate transactions amounting to Rp 5.3 trillion ($339,2 million). The exhibition is scheduled to span 11 days, commencing from Feb. 15 to 25, 2024.

"IIMS 2024 will be a stage for innovation in the Indonesian automotive industry," said Daswar Marpaung, President Director of Dyandra Promosindo, on Thursday.

IIMS 2024 will serve as a platform for automotive manufacturers to showcase their latest vehicles. BYD Indonesia, a newcomer to the Indonesian market, will make its debut, while Chery Omoda E5 will present its latest electric cars. Other brands, including Honda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Wuling, and motorcycle brands, will also feature their latest innovations.