So far, it’s the Chinese automakers that have a hold on the subcompact EV market in Southeast Asia. Notable examples include the BYD Seagull and the host of even smaller two-door EVs. Of course, legacy automakers aren’t taking this sitting down.
In other markets, big names such as Renault, Fiat, and Hyundai are keen on building pint-sized EVs. Even Honda wants in on the act with its global version of the N-One e:. However, none of them are available in Southeast Asia. At least, not yet.
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Enter, the Hyundai Inster, also known as the Casper Electric in its home market of South Korea. It’s already being offered in most of Europe, as well as in Australia and other select markets. The thing is, its fate is still unknown for our region.
Now, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for the Hyundai Inster to come to ASEAN. Speaking to Indonesian automotive publication Otodriver, Chief Operating Officer of PT Hyundai Motor Indonesia, Fransiscus Soerjopranoto hinted at that possibility.
Translated from Bahasa, he said, “We’re planning, possibly several new products. There’s one product that's still being discussed, but it’s not listed as CKD. We’re sourcing it from CBU, and we think it's very suitable for the Indonesian people. But let's wait and see.”
Granted, it’s more for the Indonesian market, but it does open up the opportunity for the subcompact EV to be sold in other parts of Southeast Asia. After all, Hyundai Motor Philippines is also keen on expanding its EV portfolio, and a reasonably priced model could serve as an entry point for the rest of the brand’s electric offerings.
Should it be sold in ASEAN, its primary target will be the BYD Seagull. Already available in most parts of the region, Hyundai will have to do a lot of catching up to the Chinese EV. Then there’s also the challenge of overcoming the price war that Chinese automakers have waged.
It will take a lot of convincing, for sure, but should Hyundai play its cards right, it could become at the forefront of affordable EV motoring in Southeast Asia.
