Tesla has reportedly shelved its plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Thailand, opting instead to concentrate on expanding its charging infrastructure in the country, according to a recent report by local publication The Economic Base.
Speculation about Tesla’s interest in setting up a factory in Thailand emerged last year. In November, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited Tesla’s Fremont Factory and met with executives, including VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy. Following the visit, the Prime Minister hinted that Tesla was considering an investment in Thailand, with potential locations being evaluated and an estimated $5 billion investment on the table.
However, sources cited by The Economic Base indicate that these factory plans have been shelved. The publication claims that Tesla has withdrawn its factory plans not only in Thailand but across Asia, excluding China. “Tesla is only talking about charging stations at the moment, but the matter of setting up factories is closed, and itâs not just closed in Thailand, but closed all over the world. Malaysia wonât go, Indonesia wonât go, theyâve all withdrawn, leaving only China, America, and Germany,” the publication noted.
In alignment with this shift, Tesla is reportedly focusing on enhancing its Supercharger Network in Thailand. The company has also been actively promoting its electric vehicles in the region. Earlier this year, Tesla announced that its all-electric pickup truck, the Cybertruck, would be on tour across Thailand until September 2024.
