Episode 19 | The Rp 250 Million EV Invasion, "Charge Anxiety" Nightmares, and Honda’s "Fake Manual" Gambit

1. The 250 Million IDR Shock: Jaecoo J5 Disrupts the Market

The discussion kicks off with the Gaikindo Jakarta Auto Week (GJAW), where new players are aggressively entering the market. Danang highlights the arrival of brands like Changan and "Lepas" (Fang Cheng Bao). But the real star is the Jaecoo J5.

• The Price Shock: The J5 has gone viral because it offers a full electric SUV starting at Rp 250 million. This pricing creates a massive gap compared to competitors like the BYD Atto 3, which sits in the Rp 400-500 million range.

• Market Disruption: Danang notes that this price point is incomparable ("best choice"), offering a spacious SUV with a "frunk" and light off-road capabilities for the price of a compact car.

• The "Billboard" Effect: Despite the new competition, BYD remains confident. Their strategy relies on existing units on the road acting as a campaign; seeing the car used by others validates the purchase decision for potential buyers.

2. 'EVs are Boring': Honda’s Quest for Soul

The conversation shifts to the global stage, specifically the Japan Mobility Show. Danang shares insights from a meeting with Honda's CEO, revealing a distinct Japanese philosophy compared to Chinese manufacturers.

• The "Soulless" Problem: Honda admits that "EVs are boring" and "soulless." While they are fast, they lack character.

• Artificial Soul: To counter this, Honda’s new "0 Series" (Super One) introduces gimmicks to make EVs fun: artificial gear shifts and synthetic engine sounds. The goal is to bring the "joy of driving" back to electrification—focusing on cornering and feeling rather than just 0-100 km/h acceleration.

• Hybrid Focus: Unlike China's full EV push, Japan is doubling down on "Strong Hybrids," perfecting existing technology to be more powerful yet efficient.

3. 'Charge Anxiety': The Infrastructure Reality Check

It isn't all hype; Danang shares the gritty reality of owning an EV in Indonesia. He introduces a new term: "Charge Anxiety"—distinct from range anxiety.

• The Broken Promise of SPKLU: Danang recounted experiences where apps showed chargers as "available," only to arrive and find them broken, occupied by non-charging cars, or with long queues.

• The "Queue" Nightmare: A relatable horror story involves arriving at a charger only to be third in line. With each car taking up to an hour, "waiting for the queue" takes longer than the charging itself.

• The Verdict: EV sales are growing exponentially, but infrastructure growth is only incremental. Until this gap closes, EV ownership remains "uncomfortable" for those without home charging.

4. The Apple Paradox & The Rise of AI Companions

The team moves to tech, discussing why the iPhone 17 sells out despite being "beaten on specs" by Android competitors.

• Brand vs. Specs: Danang argues that specs (AnTuTu scores) no longer matter to the general public. Apple sells a "statement" and "user experience." People buy the iPhone 17 simply because they like the new orange color, and that is a valid enough reason.

• Gemini Live Experience: The conversation takes a sci-fi turn as Danang reveals his heavy usage of Gemini Live. He uses it as a conversation partner during traffic jams, discussing everything from stocks to IPO definitions. The team agrees we are dangerously close to the movie Her.

Encore Session: The Future of Media & Robotics

The episode wraps with deep dives into two distinct future trends:

• Robotics Challenge: A report from a Chinese robotics factory reveals that making a robot do a backflip is easy; the real challenge is fine motor skills (e.g., threading a needle). It currently costs $50 billion to start a humanoid robot company.

• Media Equilibrium: Danang discusses the "equilibrium" of the media industry. Survival depends on embracing omnichannel storytelling. It’s no longer just about writing an article; it’s about converting that story into vertical videos, carousels, and hooks that grab attention in seconds.

Watch/Listen to the Full Episode for More Insights

This transcript is only a summary. To hear Danang’s full story about his "Charge Anxiety" nightmare in Karawang and why he believes Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV) are actually the best solution for Indonesia, watch the complete episode.

TIMESTAMPS:

(Note: Timestamps are based on the transcript file)

00:00 - Intro: Why the J5 went viral (Rp 250 Million SUV)

01:50 - Welcome Danang Aradian (Journalist & Content Creator)

03:00 - GJAW Highlights: New Brands (Changan, "Lepas"/Leopard)

05:40 - Analysis: The Jaecoo J5 Disruption (Rp 250jt vs. BYD Atto 3)

09:14 - Brand Strategy: How BYD uses existing cars as "Billboards"

11:50 - Debate: Tax incentives for Rp 1 Billion EVs vs. Motorcycles

15:52 - Japan Mobility Show: Honda’s Strategy (Hybrids & "Soulful" EVs)

18:33 - Feature Focus: Honda’s Artificial Gear Shift & Sound

21:30 - Cultural Difference: China’s Global Ambition vs. Japan’s Domestic Perfection

30:00 - Tech Talk: The Future of Smartphones (Foldables & Rollables)

33:00 - Apple Analysis: Why iOS keeps growing (20% Global Market Share)

42:20 - AI Experience: Living with Gemini Live (The "Her" Reality)

46:00 - Robotics: Why "Fine Motor Skills" are harder than backflips

49:00 - Media Insight: Surviving the "Media Equilibrium" via Omnichannel

53:40 - Real Talk: "Charge Anxiety" & The SPKLU Nightmare

01:07:40 - Solution: Why PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) is ideal for Indonesia

01:13:40 - Solar Farms: Creating ecosystems (Sheep & Grass) in deserts

Brands/People Mentioned in This Episode:

People

• Danang Aradian (Cak Dan): @cakdan

• Luther Panjaitan (BYD Indonesia)

Brands & Companies

• Automotive:

  • Jaecoo Indonesia: @jaecoo.indonesia

  • BYD Indonesia: @byd_indonesia

  • Honda Indonesia: @hondaisme

  • Changan Indonesia: @changanauto.id

  • Jetour Indonesia: @jetour_indonesia

• Tech & Infrastructure:

  • PLN: @pln_id

  • Voltron: @voltron.id

  • Apple: @apple

  • Google Gemini: @google

  • Data is Beautiful: @DataIsBeautifulOfficial

• Media:

  • Sindo News: @sindonews