Tesla reportedly setting shop in Thailand — could PH see models in the future?

MANILA: According to its website, Tesla is ramping up hiring in Thailand, a hub for the automotive industry in Southeast Asia. The manufacturer is seeking to hire a business development manager and recruiters, as reported by Automotive News Europe.  

The job announcements from Tesla coincide with a rise in EV interest and demand in Thailand brought on by worries about rising energy costs and consumer incentives offered by the government. Tesla is led by American business magnate Elon Musk.

While the government has been encouraging the sale of electric vehicles, Thailand is not currently anticipated to be a Tesla production location, although there are rumors the business may open official dealerships.

For businesses like Toyota and Honda, Thailand is the fourth-largest auto assembly and export hub in Asia, with the Philippines receiving Thai-built vehicles and parts.

Meanwhile, reports said that Elon Musk's Starlink high-speed satellite internet venture could arrive in the Philippines soon to be part of the government's free Wi-Fi program.

As the ventures of the billionaire come to Asia, could this mean like Thailand, the Philippine market could see Tesla vehicles on sale in the future?

On its website, Tesla placed job listings for close to 20 Bangkok-based positions, including one for a home charging developer and a LinkedIn job posting for a charging infrastructure lead was made.

There were additional openings for auto technicians, customer service, and a parts advisor. According to the article, Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

About 1.5 million to 2 million vehicles are produced in the nation each year, half of which are exported. A key component of the Thai government's strategy to maintain its position as the leading regional automaker is to increase domestic demand for EVs.

By 2030, the government wants to produce 725,000 EVs annually, or 30% of all new vehicles. EV sales by Chinese automakers have started in Thailand.

According to the article, Indonesian President Joko Widodo requested Tesla to produce its vehicles and batteries in Indonesia in August.

Tesla was founded in 2003 with the intention of producing electric vehicles and other cutting-edge technology. Nikola Tesla, an inventor and electrical engineer, is honored by the company's name.

Musk has served as Tesla CEO since 2008. Tesla began production of its first car model, the Roadster sports car, in 2009.

The Tesla Model S sedan, Model X SUV, Model 3 sedan, and Model Y crossover all came after the Roadster, debuting in 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2020, respectively.

According to reports, the Tesla Model 3 is currently the best-selling plug-in electric vehicle in the world and became the first electric vehicle to sell 1 million units globally in June 2021.

The estimated all-electric range of the Tesla Model 3's base model is 438 kilometers, while that of the long range model is 576 kilometers. Tesla claims that the Model 3 has fully functional self-driving technology, with regular software updates bringing on new features.

Photos from Tesla

Also read: BYD to build first EV plant in Thailand