Tesla Malaysia Launch

 

(From L-R): Madam BeeVien Lim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of MIDA; Malaysian US Embassy Representative; His Excellency Brian D. McFeeters, US Ambassador to Malaysia; Isabel Fan, Regional Director of Tesla; Yang Berhormat Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of MITI; Datuk Seri Haji Isham Ishak, Secretary General MITI

 

 

 

Contributed by Kenny Phang.

In collaboration with Defy Media

 

KUALA LUMPUR -- Tesla officially launched operations in Malaysia on Thursday as it joins other electric vehicle manufacturers already active in the Southeast Asian country vying to draw investment to compete with Thailand and Indonesia, which have been ramping up efforts to develop their EV industries.

Tesla has announced today that the all-new electric SUV, Model Y, is making its debut in Malaysia. The public can now experience the Model Y for the first time at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur from today until 31st October. All trims of Model Y (Model Y Rear-wheel drive, Long Range, and Performance) will be displayed at Pavilion, starting this Thursday for public viewing and ordering

 

Tesla is the first applicant to be approved under the BEV program, which allows the U.S. company to sell cars in Malaysia without Approved Permit (AP) rules, thus making imported cars cheaper.

Model Y is the newest, most affordable electric SUV. Designed and built as Tesla's first mass-market sports utility electric vehicle, it represents a critical step in Tesla's mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy, as outlined in the original Tesla plan

 

Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, held a video call with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on July 14 and discussed the company's investment in Malaysia as well as SpaceX's satellite communications service, Starlink, for rural areas. The government on Thursday approved Starlink to provide satellite internet services and announced it will purchase 40 sets of Starlink devices for schools and universities.

 

Tesla is committed and excited to help drive a zero emission and greener future for Malaysia. As part of Tesla's commitment to Malaysia, the company has unveiled a comprehensive development plan for experience centres, service and support, as well as charging infrastructure in the country, aimed at delivering a seamless Tesla ownership experience. 

 

On Tuesday, Anwar said China's Geely will invest $10 billion in Malaysia as part of a plan to develop and establish a regional hub in the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV), located in Tanjung Malim, in the state of Perak. Geely is also the second largest shareholder of Proton, Malaysia's national car brand.

Ong Kian Ming, director of the philosophy, politics and economics program at Taylor's University, told Nikkei that Malaysia has many experienced small and medium-size enterprises in the automotive components sector, including automotive electronics. He added that Tesla's entry is expected to spark EV sales in a market where other players will benefit from a spillover effect.

 

"Similarly, Geely likely also saw the same advantages which Malaysia and ASEAN can play in the EV ecosystem," he said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "This is especially since they are used to being in Malaysia via its investments in Proton, while Thailand is dominated by the Japanese players," said Ong, a former member of parliament and deputy minister of international trade and industries.