Indonesia challenges Thailand's title as the 'Detroit of Asia'

Rich mineral resources for batteries give archipelago leg up in EV shift

Workers assemble a new BMW X3 vehicle for local distribution at a Gaya Motor assembly plant, part of Astra International, in Jakarta, in July 2018. © Reuters

KENYA AKAMA and KOYA JIBIKI, Nikkei staff writers

May 28, 2023 23:32 JST

BANGKOK/JAKARTA -- Thailand is scrambling to defend its position as the "Detroit of Asia" as Indonesia closes the gap in auto production by leveraging its mining resources to capitalize on a global shift to EVs and other new energy vehicles.