RMA Indonesia regional director Roelof Lamberts said construction work on a plant could begin within two years and the factory could be operational in 2027. — The Jakarta Post
JAKARTA: American automaker Ford is exploring the possibility of building a local assembly facility in Indonesia.
Roelof Lamberts, regional director of RMA Indonesia, the authorised distributor of Ford vehicles, said construction work on a plant could begin within two years and the factory could be operational in 2027.
“Yes, I’ve mentioned before that we are ready to invest in Indonesia.
“This includes expanding our dealer network, which shows how confident and optimistic we are about Ford’s potential in this market,” Lamberts said in South Jakarta on Tuesday, as quoted by Bisnis.
He added that Ford’s plan to localise production aligned with the company’s ambition to expand its vehicle line-up in the Indonesian market and to increase investment in the country.
“Since we plan to introduce more vehicle models in the future, we are currently studying the possibility of local assembly in Indonesia,” he explained.
“I hope we won’t have to wait too long.
“My ambition is to make the local assembly happen sooner,” he said.
Lamberts also suggested that the proposed plant could be located in West Java, though details remain under discussion as the plan has only reached the assessment stage.
Ford has a longstanding presence in Indonesia through the RMA Group, which began operating in 2008 via its subsidiary PT Global Fleet Sales Indonesia (GFSI).
Based in Jakarta, GFSI provides specialised automotive solutions, vehicle modification and assembly services, as well as genuine spare parts for mining vehicles.
At present, however, all Ford models sold in Indonesia are still imported completely built-up from the headquarters in Thailand.
A local assembly plant would therefore allow the company to cut production and logistics costs while strengthening its foothold in the market.
According to data from the Association of Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers (Gaikindo), Ford’s wholesale sales reached 633 units from January to October 2025, while retail sales totaled 676 units during the same period.
As Ford celebrates its 25th anniversary in Indonesia, the company has announced the launch of a special edition model at the upcoming Gaikindo Jakarta Auto Week 2025 later this month.
“Through these programmes, Ford RMA Indonesia reaffirms that every customer is an integral part of the brand’s long journey in Indonesia, and we remain committed to serving and innovating,” Lamberts said, as quoted by Kontan on Tuesday.
Globally, Ford reported third-quarter revenue of US$50.5bil, up 9% year-on-year.
Net income reached US$2.4bil, while adjusted earnings before interest stood at US$2.6bil, both reflecting an adverse tariff-related impact of US$700mil.
“Ford posted another strong quarter, delivering more than US$50bil in revenue powered by our incredible products and services, the durability of Ford Pro, and our disciplined focus on cost and quality,” Ford president and chief executive officer Jim Farley said on Oct 23 in a company statement. — The Jakarta Post/ANN
