Semarang, C. Java. Chinese automaker BYD is gaining traction in Indonesia’s fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) market, with its newly launched Atto 1 emerging as the star of the 2025 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS).

BYD Motor Indonesia officially unveiled the Atto 1 on July 23 at GIIAS 2025. Since then, orders have surged, with BYD and its premium sub-brand Denza securing a combined 4,195 vehicle bookings during the exhibition.

While BYD did not disclose the exact sales breakdown, the company suggested the Atto 1 was the biggest contributor. “From our experience at auto shows, newly launched models usually dominate the order intake,” said Luther T Panjaitan, Head of PR & Government Relations at BYD Motor Indonesia, during a media test drive in Semarang on Thursday.

Latest industry data underscore BYD’s momentum. According to the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo), the company retained its position as the country’s EV market leader in July 2025, topping both retail and wholesale sales. BYD sold 2,827 units at the retail level in July, up from 2,172 units in June. Rival Aion trailed far behind with 771 units, a slight increase from 747 the previous month.

Luther described the reception to the Atto 1 as “satisfying,” adding that the brand’s confidence extends to its after-sales commitments. The model comes with one of the boldest warranty packages in the market: eight years or 160,000 kilometers for the battery, six years or 150,000 kilometers for the vehicle, and eight years or 150,000 kilometers for the drive unit.

The Atto 1 is available in two trims. The entry-level Dynamic, priced at Rp 195 million ($12,000), features a 30.08 kWh Blade battery offering a 300-kilometer range. The top-tier Premium, at Rp 235 million ($14,500), is equipped with a 38.88 kWh Blade battery with a range of up to 380 kilometers.

The affordability of the Atto 1, however, is not driven by cost-cutting, Panjaitan emphasized. Instead, it is the result of BYD’s vertically integrated production system. “We manufacture our key components, from batteries to motors and even software, entirely in-house. This allows us to fully control production costs,” he said.

The company also leverages economies of scale and internal logistics efficiencies, including its own shipping fleet for global distribution. “Our cost structure is genuinely low because of integrated processes, not pricing gimmicks,” Panjaitan added.

With its entry-level pricing, generous warranty, and performance that reviewers describe as “five-star comfort at a budget price,” the Atto 1 is helping BYD solidify its leadership in Indonesia’s increasingly competitive EV market.

Test Drive Results

During a media test drive on August 14, the Atto 1 Premium was driven along the Yogyakarta–Solo–Semarang route, covering roughly 160 kilometers plus additional city driving. At the end of the trip, the vehicle still had 45 percent battery remaining, equivalent to 179 kilometers of range from its full 380 km capacity.

“The Yogyakarta–Semarang test drive via Solo was a key moment to prove the Atto 1’s reliability, comfort, and innovation in real road conditions,” Panjaitan said.

Inside the cabin, the Atto 1 offers a lot of headroom and legroom, with sporty seats and soft-touch materials lending a premium feel. Safety features include six airbags in the Premium variant, seat belt reminders, ABS, EBD, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and rear sensors with a parking camera.

On the road, the Atto 1 showed agility, energy efficiency, and ease of handling thanks to its compact dimensions, aerodynamic design, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Automatic LED headlamps, double slash DRLs, and in the Premium, electric driver-seat adjustment and telescopic leather steering enhance comfort.

Entertainment features were also highlighted during the test. The 10.1-inch touchscreen supports both wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a built-in karaoke mode with microphone connectivity kept passengers entertained. Voice command for air conditioning and strong cabin insulation added to driving comfort across diverse terrains.