Tesla EVs may land on Malaysian shores soon

KUALA LUMPUR: Tesla is one such carmaker that ignited electric vehicle interest all across the globe. But unfortunately, this American EV marque is not yet available in Malaysia officially. When we say “officially” we mean that Tesla cars can be purchased via grey market dealers in the local market. However, it seems that this scene is going to be changed soon.

As per Malaysian Electric Vehicles Owners Club (MyEVOC) social media handle, Tesla Services Sdn Bhd subsidiary registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) since May 2017 has undergone a name change in October 2022. The word “Services” has been dropped and it is now called ‘Tesla Sdn Bhd’.

Earlier, the scope of the company was limited to provide accounting, finance, and IT support personnel to 25 countries as a remote financial services centre. But with the name change comes the change in scope as well. The company’s modified work read as “Wholesale and retail of new motor vehicles, other service activities incidental to land transportation, N.E.C, and the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.” 

This apparently implies that Tesla cars will be officially coming to Malaysia soon, however, we are yet to receive an official confirmation on the same.

Tesla's global lineup comprises four electric models - Model S (executive sedan), Model X (three-row MPV), Model 3 (compact executive sedan and Model Y (compact crossover). If we talk about which Tesla model will enter the Malaysian market first, the speculations hover around the Model 3 and Model Y taking into reference the brand’s debut in Thailand happened in Dec 2022.

In the Thai market, the automaker offers the Model Y in three variants - Single Motor RWD, Dual Motor Long Range AWD, and Dual Motor Performance AWD, priced between THB 1,959,000 (RM 246,151) and THB 2,509,000 (RM 315,258). 

The Model 3 also comes in three versions - Single Motor RWD, Dual Motor Long Range AWD, and Dual Motor Performance AWD at a price ranging from THB 1,759,00 (RM 221,403) to THB 2,309,000 (RM 290,630).

Also read: 5 things to know about the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV