Pindad (Persero) is preparing to establish a national car (mobnas) production facility in Subang, West Java.

Pindad is an Indonesian state-owned enterprise specialising in military and commercial products.

Pindad President Director, Sigit P. Santosa, stated that the national car project should not remain merely a slogan. The initial production phase is scheduled to commence in 2028.

To implement the project, Pindad, the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), and the Industrial Estate Association (HKI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to coordinate the planning of priority industrial areas in the 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) and to accelerate the National Car Programme as a national strategic project (PSN).

"Pindad is committed to increasing its research and development capacity, enhancing production capabilities and the national supply chain, and ensuring that every stage of national car development aligns with the government's long-term directives and decisions," Sigit stated, as reported on Pindad's official website on 10th December 2025.

Minister of National Development Planning and Head of Bappenas, Rachmat Pambudy, stated that Indonesia is entering a new phase in its efforts to develop independence in the automotive industry.

He highlighted the role of industrial areas, supply chains, and integrated technology development in supporting national industry.

Rachmat noted that Indonesia has the capacity to manufacture vehicles and construct factories. He further added that the establishment of a national automotive industry requires adequate support from industrial estates.

"Developing a national automotive industry requires the establishment of a supply chain ecosystem, which must be present within industrial areas," Rachmat stated.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto set a target for Indonesia to develop a national car, or domestically manufactured vehicle, within three years. One model that has received public attention is the Maung MV3 Garuda Limousine produced by Pindad, which has been used at various state events.

Interest in the national car was also evident at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2025, held from 24th July to 3rd August 2025, with the presentation of a concept electric vehicle created by Indonesian students, known as the i2C (Indigenous Indonesian Car).

The i2C is an electric car concept initiated by Teknologi Militer Indonesia (TMI), a company responsible for designing the main weapons systems (alutsista) for the Indonesian military, in accordance with the Ministry of Defence (Kemenhan) programme.

Several national car brands have emerged and disappeared over time. These include Timor, developed during the New Order era by Hutomo Mandala Putra (Tommy), son of Indonesia's second President, Soeharto, and Esemka, which was previously promoted as a national project during the presidency of Joko Widodo (Jokowi).