In the parking lot of a busy Indonesian airport, an electric van could soon be the quietest, cleanest option for getting passengers to their planes. That vision is driving Beijing Automobile Works, a Chinese car company with deep roots in military history, as it brings three new electric vehicles to Southeast Asia's biggest market.
BAW, as the company is known, officially launched its brand in Indonesia at the 2026 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in Tangerang. The company plans to build an assembly plant in West Java that will serve not just Indonesia but right-hand-drive markets across Southeast Asia.
Leading the electric lineup is the M8, a full-size electric multi-purpose vehicle built for corporate fleets, airport shuttles, and large families. Its battery holds 81 kilowatt-hours of energy and can power the vehicle for up to 505 kilometers before needing a recharge — that's roughly the distance from Jakarta to Yogyakarta and back, with room to spare. When the battery does run low, fast-charging can take it from 30 percent to 80 percent in under 45 minutes.
For city drivers on a tighter budget, BAW introduced the D5, a small electric hatchback designed for busy metropolitan streets and affordable daily commuting. The third vehicle, the T10 Pro, is an all-electric delivery truck aimed at logistics companies and small businesses that want to cut fuel costs.
"Establishing domestic knock-down manufacturing allows the company to meet Indonesia's domestic content regulations," said Tocy Tang, president director of PT BAW Automobile Trading Indonesia. Those regulations require carmakers to source a certain percentage of parts locally to qualify for tax breaks. Building in West Java also gives BAW tariff-free access to neighboring countries under regional trade agreements.
BAW's history stretches back to 1951, when it became China's second state-owned vehicle manufacturer. The company built its reputation supplying trucks and off-road vehicles to the Chinese military, including the iconic BJ212 — a rugged utility vehicle that served as China's primary government command car for decades. After operating for years under the larger BAIC Group, BAW privatized in 2020 and moved its headquarters to Qingdao, Shandong, shifting its focus toward electric vehicles and export markets.
Indonesia is one of Southeast Asia's largest automotive markets, and several Chinese EV makers already operate factories there, including BYD, Wuling Motors, Chery, and DFSK. By offering both commercial vehicles and family-friendly options, BAW hopes to stand out in a crowded field — and put more quiet, zero-emission vehicles on Indonesian roads.