Tesla's reported plans to scrap production in SEA may be a commercial decision

KUALA LUMPUR: Tesla Inc's reported decision to scrap plans for its production operations in Southeast Asia could be the electric carmaker's global operations commercial decision, said the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.

A ministry spokesman said this does not reflect the industrial reforms and improved investment landscape that it and its agencies have worked on since December 2022.

Yesterday, a Thai online news portal, quoting an anonymous source in the government, reported that Tesla has scrapped plans to set up factories in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

The Nation reported that Tesla is currently only discussing charging stations, with its factory plans suspended not just in Thailand but worldwide.

"They are not proceeding in Malaysia, Indonesia or anywhere else except for China, the United States and Germany,” reported the news portal.

The spokesman emphasised that the report is not an official statement from Tesla as it was based on comments from an unnamed source.

"Confirmation of the report would have to come from Tesla," he said.

Tesla has not responded to Bernama's attempt to confirm the matter.