Tesla’s international expansion is not slowing down as the automaker has been approved to import and sell its electric vehicles in Malaysia. Tesla was granted approval by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) as part of a new initiative to increase battery electric vehicle (BEV) adoption in the country.
The announcement was made by Tengku Zafrul, Malaysia’s Minister of International Trade and Industry, who said that along with being approved to import their cars, Tesla will also establish a head office in the country, build out a network of ‘Tesla Experience and Service Centers,” and also launch the Supercharger network.
Tesla has not announced when it plans to start taking orders in Malaysia.
“We are pleased by Tesla’s decision to establish its presence in the Electric Vehicle (EV) ecosystem in Malaysia. This demonstrates Tesla’s confidence in our economic fundamentals and conducive business environment. Even as major global brands decide to invest and re-invest in Malaysia, MITI and its agencies will continue to enhance efforts to improve the ease of doing business, while continuously profiling Malaysia as pro-trade, pro-industry and pro-investment. We will also strategically leverage on our established Electrical & Electronics ecosystem to make Malaysia the preferred investment destination for technology related to electric mobility,” Zafrul said in a press release. (h/t: @Tslachan)
MITI made it possible for Tesla to enter Malaysia through the BEV Global Leaders project, which aims to increase BEV demand in the local market and further promote the development of the complete ecosystem to support BEV adoption. MITI noted that Tesla was the first applicant, and the first successful applicant for the initiative.
While Tesla has now been approved to import cars into Malaysia, residents can subscribe to a Model 3 or a Model Y through a company called Flux. The subscription cost, which works out to RM 84,808 or around $25,000 CAD for a full year covers comprehensive insurance, road tax and maintenance, including wear and tear.
