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Tesla begins operations in Malaysia
The company in a joint statement with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority said the expansion into the country is a direct response to the Battery Electric Vehicle Global Leaders initiative introduced by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.
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In an aerial view, brand new Tesla cars sit in a parking lot at the Tesla factory on October 19, 2022 in Fremont, California.
(AFP/Getty Images/Justin Sullivan)
T
esla Sdn Bhd (Tesla), the Malaysian arm of the well-known American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Tesla Inc, officially began operations in Malaysia late last week with the launch of its Model Y for the local market.
The company in a joint statement with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority said the expansion into the country is a direct response to the Battery Electric Vehicle Global Leaders initiative introduced by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.
Tesla announced that booking and purchasing of the Model Y is already available on its website since July 14, with prices ranging from RM199,000 to RM288,000, while delivery of the first Tesla unit is anticipated to be around early 2024.
The company said it would be introducing more models in the future to cater to the varying needs and preferences of Malaysians.
The company’s regional director Isabel Fan said Tesla has begun low-volume production to prove the security and viability of electric cars, with the revenue generated allowing the company to produce more affordable vehicles and eventually expand into the mass-market high-volume production.
Meanwhile, Tesla is also looking to invest significantly in setting up a vast network of fast charging and regular-charging stations across strategic locations in Malaysia, to resolve the issue of a lack of charging infrastructure in the country, thereby encouraging a higher adoption rate of EVs.
Fan revealed that Tesla’s first indoor supercharger station with a total of eight superchargers will be opened at the basement of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur soon, pending licence approval before commissioning and utilisation.
Aside from launching cars, the company is set to establish a state-of-the-art head office and service centre in Cyberjaya to serve as the central hub for all corporate operations, marketing, training, customer support activities and vehicle services.
Tesla said these premises will be equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and staffed with highly trained technicians to offer prompt and reliable after sales services to customers.
The company also announced that it will establish its experience centres in key metropolitan areas across Malaysia, where customers can explore and experience the latest EV models firsthand, while gaining insights into the benefits of electric mobility.
