A tour of Southeast Asia continues for Tesla as the electric vehicle producer announced plans to open an office in Malaysia in addition to setting up showrooms and charging stations throughout the country. The move follows a similar launch in Thailand late last year.
Tesla has already seen its application to import electric vehicles into Malaysia approved. However, a timeframe has yet to be given as to when retail operations will begin.
“We are pleased by Tesla’s decision to establish its presence in the electric vehicle ecosystem in Malaysia,” Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Tengku Zafrul Aziz was quoted as saying by Channel News Asia. “This demonstrates Tesla’s confidence in our economic fundamentals and conducive business environment.”
MITI has been eager to increase EV demand in Malaysia and this is seen as a crucial first step. Tesla’s entry into the market was made possible through the government’s BEV Global Leaders initiative, a program designed to promote the sector as a whole.
“In addition, the initiative seeks to secure investments from leading global BEV manufacturing companies in Malaysia. Tesla is the first applicant of this initiative by MITI,” the ministry added.
No date for Tesla’s launch in Malaysia has been given, but it will likely be a big deal. The firm rolled out the red carpet for its entrance into Thailand with similar fanfare probably heading to Kuala Lumpur in the near future.
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Interesting Analysis
EVs are the future, but Tesla is a relative latecomer in Southeast Asia. Not only have several Chinese firms opened showrooms across the region but manufacturers such as Volvo are also bringing their electric cars to the market.
That being said, take up is still in its infancy. No dominant players have emerged and likely won’t until a more unified and streamlined charging station network is made available on both a city and country basis.
Related: The Thailand EV roadmap and how the country plans on navigating it
