MITI never said that Tesla will open factory in Malaysia, BEV Global Leaders scheme is open to all – Zafrul

MITI never said that Tesla will open factory in Malaysia, BEV Global Leaders scheme is open to all – Zafrul

Following reports from Thailand saying that Tesla has cancelled plans to set up an EV factory in Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia, minister of investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said in a Facebook post that MITI has never made any announcement about Tesla opening a plant in Malaysia.

He said that while the government held talks with Elon Musk in a bid to attract investment, Tesla has never made a commitment to open a factory here. This was noted in our report quoting The Nation, which mentioned all three ASEAN countries, with the main focus on Thailand and its PM’s efforts.

Many have then said that the privileges given to Tesla by Malaysia is all in vain, now that there’s no factory. To this, the senator said that MITI’s BEV Global Leaders programme – of which Tesla is the only participant – is open to any EV maker.

MITI never said that Tesla will open factory in Malaysia, BEV Global Leaders scheme is open to all – Zafrul

Zafrul pointed out that the requirements for the BEV Global Leaders scheme is to install at least 50 units of ultra fast chargers (above 180 kW), ensure at least 30% of the fast chargers are open to public use, and work together with at least 10 local companies in developing an EV charging ecosystem, including using local contractors for installation and supply of components such as transformers and cabels.

He said that the scheme’s goal is to boost the EV charger network for local users and to increase participation of local companies in the EV charger ecosystem. Similar programmes in China, Hong Kong and Norway have hastened the switch to EVs, and when this happens, many local small and medium enterprises benefit from participating in the EV ecosystem, he said.

Zafrul stressed that it’s incorrect to say that Tesla received special treatment as any company can apply to join the BEV Global Leaders initiative, and that MITI or any of its agencies have never said that the Elon Musk-led carmaker will set up a factory in Malaysia.

MITI never said that Tesla will open factory in Malaysia, BEV Global Leaders scheme is open to all – Zafrul

He pointed out that from 2022 to Q1 2024, Malaysia has attracted investments worth RM24.55 billion in EV-related manufacturing from the likes of Chery (which committed RM1 billion), Gemilang Coachwork, Samsung SDI Energy, NexV Manufacturing dan EVE Energy. Local companies are also supporting Tesla’s global supply chain by providing spare parts, components and factory automation systems, he added.

Besides automotive investments and on a larger scale, approved investments in Q1 2024 are at RM83.7 billion, up 13% versus last year.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Rakyat Jelata on Aug 09, 2024 at 11:26 am

    Rest assures PT commentators were excellent PI could easily trace back who is the mischievous culprit(s) spreading this misinformation.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 5
    • Rakyat Malaysia on Aug 09, 2024 at 8:02 pm

      And now suddenly PH Gomen Uturn again after they Uturn from shouting about Tesla investing in Msia. Ini KERAjaan Uturn dah jadik KERAjaan roundabout main pusing-pusing saja nak mainkan rakyat Malaysia. KERAjaan PH dah GAGAL.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 16
      • Prof Dr Dayang Hashim on Aug 10, 2024 at 2:15 pm

        By observation from your comments inclined to negativity, are you having depression and high stress in life? Best to seek medical assistance and take a break go vacation stay aways from socmed and internet ok.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 7
  • ROTI CANAI on Aug 09, 2024 at 12:43 pm

    Ask more other carmakers come in on their own. Enough of suffering under useless glc or crony like sime Darby, umw, naza or bermaz

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 2
  • Bob Mal on Aug 09, 2024 at 2:37 pm

    Anyway why Tesla wants to make their factory here especially there is no policy to phase out petrol use like our neighbors and also didn’t you said AP cronies can help make the EVs safer when sold in Malaysia.

    Guess that statement made Tesla cabut that AP cronies who does nothing is more powerful than the maker itself.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 1
  • Pro-china EV on Aug 09, 2024 at 3:14 pm

    e.Coli & e.Mas – Like
    e.Musk – Dislike

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 5
    • Zero imagination on Aug 09, 2024 at 3:56 pm

      Now I get it. Proton branded their EV e.Mas to honour Elon Musk (e.Musk)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • Losantara on Aug 09, 2024 at 3:22 pm

    Sohai car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 3
  • PMXXX on Aug 09, 2024 at 3:27 pm

    So Tesla just got their free-pass to enter Malaysia and sell directly? While other players have to still abide to AP requirement and the 49% JV with local entity in order to sell their EV here?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 3
    • e.Musk on Aug 09, 2024 at 4:48 pm

      Don’t be a cry baby. Your kumunis ev brands are more concerned of clearing their EV graveyards back home than build charging infrastructure here

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 8
  • Karma's a biatch on Aug 09, 2024 at 5:07 pm

    PMX is tasting his own medicine. He promised to reduce fuel prices and what do we get?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 8
    • TaliPAS on Aug 11, 2024 at 1:08 pm

      This is what you get when you elect a man who plays with boys to be your PM

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • AkooIm on Aug 09, 2024 at 9:48 pm

    Fake news & spinned news spread by the Walauns…
    Ask them their resource, & the will happily shown news from Harian Metro… *facepalm*
    Harian Metro notoriously known for over sensationalized news headlines…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 7
    • Surat khabar "trusted" on Aug 11, 2024 at 2:50 pm

      We do clickbaits to push newspaper sales. We didn’t expect our readers (you know who they are) to be so shallow minded and treat them as gospel

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Ben Yap on Aug 12, 2024 at 2:52 pm

    nevermind la… got factory or not also doesn’t matter. Janji don’t tax T20 any further.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mike Tee on Aug 15, 2024 at 11:21 am

    It’s like our Malaysian 100m runner saying “I want to do my best in the Olympics, break my personal best hopefully”. They come back, break their PB and of course with no medal and everyone is shouting “ROFL he thinks he was going to win the Olympic gold in 100m! Bodoh tu!”

    Come on people

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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