ENZHMS
Link Copiedcheck_circle
EV

Zafrul Sheds Light On Tesla Factory Rumors & Global BEV Initiative

KS

Share via

thumb-(5).jpg


Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), has released a statement addressing the highly publicised news about Tesla’s commitment to Malaysia and the speculated shortfall in Southeast Asia.

This comes after a report by Thai newspaper The Nation which has been widely published here claimed that Tesla had withdrawn any factory commitments in Southeast Asia.


First-Tesla-Centre-in-Malaysia3.jpg


In his statement, Tengku Zafrul urged Malaysian media to verify claims and information directly with Tesla, rather than rehashing information from unnamed sources. However, he may not be aware that Tesla has globally disbanded its PR department, making it nearly impossible to obtain details or official statements from Tesla, including in Malaysia.

Tengku Zafrul further clarified that MITI has never announced that Tesla would be opening a factory in Malaysia. While discussions have indeed taken place between Malaysian officials and Elon Musk as part of efforts to attract investment, Tesla has not committed to building a factory in the country.


Tesla-In-Malaysia-(1).jpgimage-full_normal---2023-08-22T165355.758.jpg


Was Malaysia’s Investment in Tesla a Waste of Time?

Absolutely not, according to Tengku Zafrul. He explained that a broader strategy is at play. The Malaysian government introduced the Global Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Leadership Initiative to strengthen the country’s EV ecosystem. This initiative is open to any EV manufacturer, not just Tesla. Some key requirements for participation include:

  1. Setting up a Head Office, Experience Centre and Service Centre.
  2. Employing at least 80% local workforce.
  3. Collaborating with at least 10 local higher education institutions or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
  4. Installing at least 50 ultra-fast chargers with a capacity exceeding 180 kWh.
  5. Ensuring at least 30% of these chargers are accessible to the public, meaning they can be used by vehicles from other manufacturers.
  6. Collaborating with at least 10 local companies to develop and deploy the EV charging ecosystem (e.g., local contractors for charger installations and sourcing equipment like transformers and cables).


web_CariCarz_MA_Tesla-Malaysia-Gamuda-Cove-Supercharger_-16.jpg


Furthermore, the government is encouraging more industry players to take up this initiative, similar to Tesla, to benefit from the advantages provided by the Global BEV initiative.

What’s the Goal of This Initiative?

According to Tengku Zafrul, the Global BEV initiative aims to expand the charging network for local EV owners while boosting the participation of local companies in the EV charging space. He noted that countries like China, Hong Kong, and Norway have accelerated their transition to electric vehicles through similar programs, benefiting many local SMEs involved in the EV ecosystem.

In Malaysia, the government has set a goal of achieving 10,000 EV chargers by the end of 2025. However, this goal has encountered challenges, including bureaucratic hurdles, which have slowed the growth of EV chargers in 2024 compared to 2023.


Screenshot-2024-08-10-093700.jpg


Setting the Record Straight

Tengku Zafrul reiterated that the Malaysian government, through MITI or any of its agencies, has never announced that Tesla will be opening a factory in Malaysia.

Despite this, MITI remains committed to attracting high-quality investments to Malaysia. The strategy to attract investments in the automotive industry is not limited to Tesla alone.


Malaysia-Liberal-(THUMB).jpeg


From 2022 to the first quarter of 2024, Malaysia secured investments totaling RM24.55 billion in EV-related manufacturing activities from companies such as Chery, Gemilang Coachwork, Samsung SDI Energy, NexV Manufacturing, and EVE Energy.

MITI will continue its efforts to attract high-quality investments, create more job opportunities for Malaysians, and ensure that the country remains competitive on the global stage.




Share This Article

Written By

KS

More then half his life spend being obsessed with all thing go-fast, performance and automotive only to find out he's actually Captain Slow behind the wheels...oh well! https://www.linkedin.com/in/kumeran-sagathevan/

Share via

JPJ Running Numbers

KUALA LUMPUR

VPK1613

SELANGOR

BSG2532

JOHOR

JYD1742

PULAU PINANG

PRS3664

PERAK

ANX6457

PAHANG

CFC5714

KEDAH

KGB3694

NEGERI SEMBILAN

NEG4505

KOTA KINABALU

SJL6641

KUCHING

QAB6721L

Last updated 15 Jul, 2025

Fuel Price

Petrol

RON 95

RM 2.05

RON 97

RM 3.18

RON 100

RM 5.00

VPR

RM 6.23

Diesel

EURO 5 B10

RM 2.88

+0.03

EURO 5 B7

RM 3.08

+0.03

Last updated 10 Jul, 2025

Related News

EV
Volkswagen Has Sold More EVs Than Tesla in Europe

Volkswagen Has Sold More EVs Than Tesla in Europe

Volkswagen has shifted more EVs than Tesla in Europe in the first half of 2025, with the group's global EV sales rising by 47%.

10-07-2025
International
Tesla Robotaxi Debuts In Austin – RM18 Rides With “Safety Driver”

Tesla Robotaxi Debuts In Austin – RM18 Rides With “Safety Driver”

Tesla's invite-only Robotaxi service is now live in Austin, using 2025 Model Ys with a flat fare of $4.20 (approx. RM18).

25-06-2025
EV
New Tesla V4 Supercharging Station Opens in i-City Shah Alam

New Tesla V4 Supercharging Station Opens in i-City Shah Alam

Tesla Malaysia’s newest V4 Supercharging station is now open at i-City Finance Avenue, Shah Alam.

10-06-2025
Tech
Euro NCAP Reveals 2025’s Best and Worst Assisted Driving Systems

Euro NCAP Reveals 2025’s Best and Worst Assisted Driving Systems

New Euro NCAP 2025 assessment proves assisted driving tech is now prevalent, but only few get it right.

06-06-2025
International
Tesla's Europe Sales Crashing Despite New Model Y

Tesla's Europe Sales Crashing Despite New Model Y

Tesla's European sales are still falling, with key markets down about 50% YOY in early Q2 2025.

05-05-2025
International
Tesla Halts New Orders For US-Made Model X And Model S In China

Tesla Halts New Orders For US-Made Model X And Model S In China

Tesla has halted new Model S and Model X orders in China, likely due to high tariffs on US-made cars.

15-04-2025
EV
Report: RHD Tesla Cybertruck Mulled for Australia – Malaysia Included?

Report: RHD Tesla Cybertruck Mulled for Australia – Malaysia Included?

Tesla has reportedly confirmed that the right-hand drive version of the Cybertruck is being considered for Australia.

12-03-2025
International
Tesla Garners Controversial Presidential Nod From Trump

Tesla Garners Controversial Presidential Nod From Trump

Trump turned the White House lawn into a Tesla showroom, praising Musk’s cars and promising to buy one himself.

12-03-2025

Latest News

EV
Report: China Seeks To Ban Single-Pedal Drive Mode In EVs By 2027

Report: China Seeks To Ban Single-Pedal Drive Mode In EVs By 2027

China reportedly seeking to ban divisive single-pedal drive mode in EVs by 2027.

14-07-2025
EV
Xpeng Surpasses 800,000-Unit Delivery Milestone

Xpeng Surpasses 800,000-Unit Delivery Milestone

After more than six years, China’s Xpeng has finally reached the 800,000-unit delivery milestone.

14-07-2025
EV
Meta Bright, ChargeSini JV to Fast-Track EV Charger Rollout

Meta Bright, ChargeSini JV to Fast-Track EV Charger Rollout

Meta Bright teams up with ChargeSini to scale EV charging infrastructure nationwide.

12-07-2025
EV
Geely Xingyuan Crowned as China’s Best-Selling Car in 1H 2025

Geely Xingyuan Crowned as China’s Best-Selling Car in 1H 2025

Proton e.MAS 5’s twin, the Geely Xingyuan EV, has been crowned as China’s best-selling car in the first half of 2025.

11-07-2025
EV
MG IM5 & IM6 EV Duo Debuts in the UK – Malaysia Next?

MG IM5 & IM6 EV Duo Debuts in the UK – Malaysia Next?

Both the MG IM5 and IM6 EVs had just made their European debut in the UK. Is Malaysia next on the list?

11-07-2025
EV
Rimac Nevera R Shatters 0-400-0 KM/H Record, Sets 24 New Records In Total

Rimac Nevera R Shatters 0-400-0 KM/H Record, Sets 24 New Records In Total

Highly charged Rimac Nevera R EV hypercar shatters 0-400-0 KM/H record, sets 24 records in total too.

11-07-2025
EV
Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Unveiled as the Brand’s Most Potent EV Yet

Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Unveiled as the Brand’s Most Potent EV Yet

The all-new Ioniq 6 N breaks cover as a performance EV saloon that is good enough to be Hyundai’s fastest creation yet.

11-07-2025
EV
Volkswagen Has Sold More EVs Than Tesla in Europe

Volkswagen Has Sold More EVs Than Tesla in Europe

Volkswagen has shifted more EVs than Tesla in Europe in the first half of 2025, with the group's global EV sales rising by 47%.

10-07-2025

Show More

trending_flat
Carz Automedia Malaysia Logo
About Us

CarzAutoMedia: Stay connected to the latest car news! Get instant updates on new releases, industry trends, and automotive innovations. Your go-to source for 24/7 coverage of everything automotive.

© 2025 CariCarz.com. All Rights Reserved.