Mitsubishi Motors has begun local assembly of its first hybrid vehicle in Indonesia, the Xforce HEV, with an initial sales target of 1,000 units by the close of the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show on 28 July. The compact SUV pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor that serves as the primary power source at low speeds, a configuration the company says can cover more than 1,000 kilometres on a single 42-litre tank of fuel. The launch, announced in Jakarta on 16 July, positions Mitsubishi to compete in a segment where rivals are also refreshing their line-ups with mild-hybrid and connectivity upgrades.

The move reflects a broader recalibration across Southeast Asia’s automotive market. Suzuki has updated its seven-seat XL7 with a mild-hybrid system on higher trims, adding a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and a 360-degree camera on the top Alpha variant. Yamaha, meanwhile, claims its Grand Filano Hybrid scooter achieves 60 km per litre under WMTC testing, targeting young urban riders with a retro design and a smart-key system. Yet conventional models still dominate: at the Jakarta Fair, Honda sold 6,500 motorcycles, led by the petrol-powered Vario series, underscoring the dual-speed nature of the energy transition in the region.

Outside Southeast Asia, Chinese manufacturers are extending their reach with range-extender and battery-electric vehicles designed for markets where charging networks remain sparse. In Morocco, Leapmotor has introduced the B10, a compact SUV that uses a 1.5-litre engine solely as a generator to replenish an 18.8 kWh battery, offering 86 km of pure-electric range and a combined range of 900 km. In Iran, a wave of imported Chinese models—including BYD’s Han and Song Plus, equipped with the company’s Blade battery and advanced driver-assistance systems—is reshaping consumer expectations, though the vehicles’ high-tech features are often conflated with luxury appointments rather than fundamental electrification.

Beyond passenger cars, the infrastructure for next-generation mobility is taking shape. Brazil’s Eve, an Embraer subsidiary, and Hitachi Energy have agreed to develop electrical infrastructure for eVTOL vertiports, studying battery reuse and grid integration to support a planned fleet of 2,700 aircraft. Meanwhile, cabin technology continues to advance: Audi’s 2027 Q3 gains a 10.9-inch passenger display and Android Automotive OS, while Kia’s refreshed Seltos features a panoramic display and Bose audio. The next milestone for Mitsubishi’s Indonesian push will be the GIIAS sales tally, while Eve targets eVTOL certification by 2028.