5 First Car Owners in Indonesia

1. Sunan Pakubuwono X in Surakarta in 1894

The first person to own a car in the Indies was Sunan Pakubuwono X from Surakarta in 1894. His own car was a Benz Phaeton carrying a one-cylinder, 2.0-liter and powered 5-hp engine.

2. Prof. Dr. W. Schrüffner in Medan in 1902

Pemilik mobil kedua sekaligus pemilik Benz berikutnya di Hindia Belanda adalah Prof Dr W Schrüffner di Medan pada tahun 1902. Benz ini bermesin dua silinder, berpendingin air, bertenaga 5 hp. Lampu depannya menggunakan sepasang lentera.

3. Raden Mas Arjo Tjondro in Brebes in 1904

The third person listed as the owner of the car in the Netherlands Indies is the Regent of Brebes, Raden Mas Arjo Tjondro who bought an Orient Backboard alerts in 1904. One-cylinder car with 8 hp power is equipped with advanced and reverse transmission, as well as wheel drive system in the form of chains.

4. Kanjeng Raden Sosrodiningrat in Surakarta in 1907

Next in 1907, Kanjeng Raden Sosrodiningrat who is still a king of Surakarta family bought a Daimler brand car. This four-cylinder engined car is the same as the vehicle used by the Governor-General (Dutch) in Batavia at that time.

5. Haji Muhammad Usman Shah in Maluku in 1913

Last but not least, the next car owner was Haji Muhammad Usman Shah who was a Sultan of Ternate in 1913. Sultan bought his car after feeling the pleasure of traveling around Maluku in a King Dick car driven by a Dutchman.