KUALA LUMPUR: Electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla Inc, which is run by Elon Musk, will open a head office in Malaysia and establish a network of charging stations for its cars here.
The International Trade and Industry Ministry also said Tesla's application to import battery-run EVs (BEVs) into the country had been approved.
The company will also open "Tesla Experience" centres and services centres here, in a major boost to Malaysia's hopes to be a preferred investment destination for technology related to electric mobility.
Tesla's presence in Malaysia was expected to create skilled and better-paying job opportunities for workers in the BEV segment and increase the participation of local companies in the Tesla ecosystem, both domestically and globally, the ministry said yesterday.
"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," its minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said.
He said even as major global brands decided to invest and re-invest here, the ministry and its agencies would 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 and electronics ecosystem to make Malaysia the preferred investment destination for technology related to electric mobility," Tengku Zafrul added.
Tesla's entry has been facilitated by the ministry through the introduction of the BEV Global Leaders initiative.
It aims to help boost BEV demand in the local market and further promote the development of the entire ecosystem to support BEV adoption.
"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 the ministry," it said.
Tesla operates on a direct to consumer sales model without involving the use of dealers.
Its entry into Malaysia may mean that some concessions have been made with certain requirements like franchise APs.
Tesla Experience centres, meanwhile, are a place where one can learn more about a Tesla, but will have to place a booking online.
Buyers will take delivery of the car when their stock has been allocated.