Behind the Wheel at GIIAS 2025: Where Cars, Ideas & Safety Meet

TheIndonesia.co - As someone who's been hooked on the scent of fresh interiors, the rumble of engines, and the sleek lines of concept cars since I was old enough to hold a steering wheel-shaped toy, the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) is more than just an event—it's a pilgrimage.

And this year, GIIAS 2025, held from July 24th to August 3rd at ICE BSD City, South Tangerang, felt like it delivered not just the latest in four-wheeled innovation, but something far more substantial: a deeper conversation on what it means to be responsible behind the wheel.

Yes, there were gleaming electric vehicles, autonomous car demos, and crowds circling concept displays like bees around honey. But what truly hit home for me this year wasn’t just horsepower or design—it was a conversation in Hall 7A’s VIP Lounge that made me reflect on the kind of driver I am, and want to be.

A Talk that Shifted My Gears: Driving as a Lifestyle Choice

On July 28th, I joined a Talk Show session tucked away inside the VIP Lounge of Hall 7A. It was organized by Astra Financial, the platinum sponsorship for GIIAS 2025, for car communities, particularly the Isuzu Lover & Friends group—but it felt welcoming even to solo visitors like me.

I’ve always seen driving as freedom. But this talk reframed it as a shared responsibility. Each time we get on the road, we’re not just making choices for ourselves, but for everyone around us. The temptation to beat the light, tailgate, or speed through an empty street might feel good for a second—but the cost can be irreversible.

What stuck with me most was this idea of safe driving as a lifestyle—not a set of rules, but a mindset. One that I, as an enthusiast, should be proud to embody.

The session, titled “Gaya Hidup Aman Berkendara” (Safe Driving as a Lifestyle), was more than a safety lecture. It was a wake-up call. One of the speakers, Frizon S. Naibaho—Regional Service Head of Astra Isuzu—talked passionately about defensive driving.

Defensive Driving: Five Simple Habits That Could Save Lives

Here’s what I took away—and what I’ve started practicing since:

• Check Yourself and Your Car
  Before you even turn the key, ensure both you and your vehicle are fit to drive. Fatigue, stress, or skipping a brake check? That’s where danger starts.
• Follow the 3-Second Rule
  Keep a 3-second distance from the car ahead. It may sound trivial, but it gives you just enough time to react to sudden stops or unexpected obstacles.
• Speed Adjusted to Road Conditions
  It's not about driving slow; it’s about driving smart. Wet roads? Dense traffic? Adjust accordingly.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings
  Watch pedestrians, cyclists, errant motorbikes. Follow traffic signs—not just to avoid tickets, but because they’re there to keep everyone safe.
• Stay Calm, Always
  Road rage isn’t just immature—it’s dangerous. Staying emotionally composed behind the wheel isn’t weakness; it’s discipline.

As Frizon explained, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s habit formation. If more of us drove this way every day, we’d all be a little safer.

The Other Side of Protection: Financial Risk & Insurance

After the driving session, another speaker—Hendra, a Regional Head of Asuransi Astra—offered an equally important reminder: Even the best drivers can’t predict the future.

He introduced the three types of car insurance:

• TLO (Total Loss Only)
  Covers total loss due to severe damage or theft—often more affordable but limited.
• Comprehensive
  Covers minor to major damage. Ideal for new vehicles or if you drive in higher-risk environments (like Jakarta’s daily chaos).
• Combination Packages
  Tailored to your needs. For example, if you want theft coverage but can self-fund minor repairs.

The point was about understanding financial risk and making protection part of our driving habits. Just like wearing a seatbelt, being insured shouldn’t be optional.

And in a surprisingly hands-on twist, attendees from the Isuzu community even received accident insurance packages to try out the process themselves—making the idea of protection something tangible, not abstract.

Other Highlights to Catch

When you’ve soaked in your fill of life lessons and responsible driving tips, there’s still plenty of fun to be had at GIIAS:

• Test Drive Zone: Outside the halls, several manufacturers offer real-world driving tests. EVs are especially fun to try if you haven’t before.
• Aftermarket & Accessories Area: Find rare parts, tech add-ons, and some wild custom paint jobs.
• Education Zone for Kids: Bringing family? Let your little ones learn road safety and traffic basics through fun interactive games.

Getting There: A Smooth Drive to GIIAS

ICE BSD City is fairly easy to reach whether you're a Jakartan urbanite or visiting from out of town. Located in Banten Province, it's accessible via the Jakarta–Serpong Toll Road. From Jakarta’s city center, it’s about an hour’s drive—assuming light traffic.

Prefer public transport? Take the KRL Commuter Line and get off at Rawa Buntu Station, then grab an online ride-hailing service for the last 10–15 minutes of your journey. For extra comfort, shuttle buses to GIIAS are usually available from designated mall pickup points across Jakarta and South Tangerang.

Ticket Tips: Weekday Wins

You can buy tickets online through platform the GIIAS official website. Prices vary, but weekdays are generally cheaper and—most importantly—less crowded. If you opt mid-week, it will be the right call: easier parking, no shoulder-bumping crowds, and enough space to take in every exhibit at my own pace.

Weekends, while more bustling and energetic, are better if you want to catch special programming or attend with family. But for serious enthusiasts wanting time with the machines (and no photobombers), weekdays win.

Navigating the Event: What to See & Where to Go

The event is laid out across multiple halls (ICE BSD has 10 halls), each bursting with displays from leading automakers—local and international. Here’s how I tackled the terrain:

• Hall 1–3: Home to major international brands. This is where you’ll see jaw-dropping EV concepts, hybrid SUVs, and future-ready technologies. Don’t miss the chance to get inside a few—many booths let you test the comfort and UI experience.
• Hall 5–6: Focus on commercial vehicles and accessories. If you're into heavy-duty pickups or business vehicles, spend time here.
• Hall 7A: This is where it gets interesting beyond the metal and rubber. I stumbled into a talk that completely reframed how I think about driving.

Visitors came to GIIAS 2025 were expecting to drool over new models, snap a hundred photos, and maybe dream about their next car. But they also walked away with something more valuable—a shift in perspective.

In a world chasing speed, style, and specs, it’s easy to forget the why behind the wheel. Events like this remind us that driving is not just about the machines—it’s about the mindset. About protecting ourselves, our passengers, and everyone else on the road.

So, if you’re planning to visit GIIAS—whether this year or next—don’t just go for the tech. Go for the talks, the stories, and the responsibility that comes with the ride.

Quick Info of GIIAS 2025

• Location: ICE BSD City, South Tangerang, Banten
• Dates: July 24th – August 3rd, 2025
• Tickets: Buy online (cheaper and faster access)
• Best Time: Weekdays for quieter experience, weekends for full programs
• Parking: Ample, but come early for a good spot
• Public Transport: Commuter line to Rawa Buntu + online ride or shuttle (shuttle bus available at the opposite of Rawa Buntu train station. Check further at the official GIIAS 2025 website.