Jakarta, Feb. 5 -- Indonesia's automotive exports emerged as the main pillar supporting the industry amid a significant slowdown in national automotive sales in 2025, Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said on Thursday.

"Amid a weakening domestic market, export performance has instead become the primary support for the automotive industry," he said at the opening of the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2026 at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta.

As wholesale sales fell by 7.2 percent and retail sales declined by 6.3 percent, the minister noted that exports of locally produced completely built-up (CBU) vehicles recorded solid growth of 9.7 percent, rising from 472,000 units in 2024 to 518,000 units in 2025.

"This performance s...