The price of the BAIC BJ40 Plus has seen a significant drop after the vehicle started local assembly at the Purwakarta factory in West Java. The price decrease is almost IDR 100 million, raising questions about whether earlier buyers lost out.
Also read: BAIC BJ40 Plus Starts Local Assembly in Indonesia, Targets 40% Local Content
Big Price Drop After Local Assembly
- When imported fully built-up (CBU), the BAIC BJ40 Plus was priced at IDR 790 million.
- Now, with local assembly using the CKD (completely knocked down) method, the price is reduced to IDR 698 million (on the road, Jakarta).
- This means a price drop of around IDR 92 million for new buyers.
What About Those Who Bought the CBU Version?
Dhany Yahya, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of JIO Distribusi Indonesia (BAIC’s local agent), explained that old buyers should not feel they lost out.
- Only about 500 units of the CBU BJ40 Plus were imported.
- These original CBU units are expected to become rare and hold unique value.
- The CBU version offers “emotional value” and is completely imported from the country of origin.
- The locally assembled CKD BJ40 Plus is the future of the model in Indonesia, replacing the CBU imports.
Also read: BAIC X55 II Facelift Launches in Indonesia with Lower Price
Reason for the Price Drop
The main reason behind the drastic price reduction is the difference in taxes.
- Imported cars face high import duties — often around 50%.
- Locally assembled cars only pay about 10% import duty on parts.
- This large difference in import tax significantly lowers the final price.
- The price drop is not due to cutting features or quality.
Quality and Features Remain Strong
Despite the lower price, the CKD BJ40 Plus maintains the same features and quality, possibly even improved in some aspects.
Dhany assured, “Those who bought the CBU version should not feel a loss because the price difference is purely due to tax savings, not because we lowered the price by reducing quality.”
BAIC BJ40 Plus Competitors in Indonesia
Key Points
- BAIC BJ40 Plus price drops nearly IDR 100 million with local assembly in Purwakarta.
- CBU imported version priced at IDR 790 million; CKD locally assembled at IDR 698 million.
- Only around 500 CBU units were imported, expected to be rare with unique value.
- Price drop mainly due to lower import taxes on CKD parts (from 50% to 10%).
- No reduction in quality or features for the locally assembled BJ40 Plus.
- Early buyers have “emotional value” and a rarer version of the vehicle.
Also read: New Model Launches: BAIC Targets 2,400 Sales in 2025 Indonesia
Conclusion
BAIC BJ40 Plus is now cheaper by nearly IDR 100 million due to local assembly. CBU buyers still benefit from its rarity and full-import value, while new buyers enjoy lower prices with the same quality.
