ZF Group has appointed PT Mitra Kencana Nusantara (MKN) as the exclusive distributor of its TRW-branded aftermarket parts in Indonesia, a move the German supplier says is designed to capture demand from a national vehicle fleet of 27.3 million units. The partnership was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed in Jakarta on 25 July 2026, alongside the domestic launch of TRW brake pads, disc brakes and shock absorbers. Country Head of ZF Aftermarket Indonesia Benny Liem stated that the collaboration aims to “build strong synergy to dominate the domestic market and maximise consumer mobility uptime.”

Viewed from ZF’s Asia-Pacific leadership, Indonesia is the region’s primary growth engine. Vice President of ZF Aftermarket and Head of Asia Pacific Teoh Chee How noted that the country’s 27.3 million vehicles in operation – 20.9 million of them passenger cars – place it at the top of the group’s global priorities. The company is betting on a structural shift among owners of out-of-warranty vehicles, who are described as increasingly selective, seeking affordable replacement components without compromising on safety. TRW products are positioned to fill that gap: Liem said the parts are manufactured to original-equipment standards but validated specifically for the tropical climate and uneven road surfaces that characterise the Indonesian market.

The commercial target is explicitly calibrated to the dominance of Japanese brands, which account for 92 per cent of the country’s car population. ZF currently estimates its product coverage of Japanese models at around 80 per cent and has set a goal of exceeding 90 per cent by 2027. MKN, which operates distribution centres in every province, is expected to ensure product availability from major cities to remote areas. Freddy Thamrin, Head of Brand at MKN, said the company would focus on product availability, customer service and after-sales support, including a formal warranty and accelerated claims process.

No immediate factory investment is planned; Teoh Chee How characterised the expansion as an investment in employment, noting that the local team has grown considerably and will continue to hire. The five-year business strategy envisages ZF becoming a market leader in its product segments by 2031. The MoU does not alter the supply chain: all parts sold in Indonesia will continue to be sourced from the group’s international plants.