Tesla in Discussions for Manufacturing Plant in Thailand, Confirms Government Official

Tesla is currently discussing with the Thai government about constructing a production facility in the country. The prime minister's office informed CNN about this on Tuesday.

The government has proposed to provide Tesla with a 100% green facility. According to Prommin Lertsuriyadej, the prime minister's secretary, they are currently in discussions with the company.

Prommin mentioned that the most recent visit by Tesla representatives to Thailand was in November. This was the same month when Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited Tesla's Gigafactory in Fremont, California.

CNN has contacted Tesla for their input on the matter.

Srettha shared on X (formerly Twitter) on November 14 about a positive meeting regarding electric vehicles and clean energy collaborations. He expressed his hopes for Thailand to become a key hub for EV and renewable energy in the future. Srettha also eagerly anticipated seeing more Tesla involvement in Thailand.

Thailand is a challenging market for the EV maker due to strong competition from Chinese rival BYD, which surpassed Tesla to become the world's largest electric car company in the last quarter of 2023.

The prime minister's office reported that Thailand has secured investments totaling over 150 billion baht ($4.2 billion) from Chinese and Japanese investors to enhance their EV supply chains within the country.

Tesla's largest car manufacturing plant outside the United States is located in Shanghai, Asia. This gigafactory played a significant role in Tesla's global deliveries last year.

In June, CEO Elon Musk expressed interest in investing in India after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York. However, specific details about this potential investment have not been revealed yet.

Editor's P/S:

The potential establishment of a Tesla production facility in Thailand is an exciting development that could have significant implications for the country's automotive industry. The government's commitment to providing a 100% green facility demonstrates their understanding of the importance of sustainability and aligns with Tesla's mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy. If realized, this facility would not only create jobs and boost economic growth but also contribute to Thailand's goal of becoming a regional hub for electric vehicles and renewable energy.

However, Tesla faces stiff competition from Chinese rival BYD, which has recently emerged as the world's largest electric car company. To succeed in the Thai market, Tesla will need to leverage its technological expertise and brand recognition to differentiate itself from its competitors. Additionally, the company's potential investment in India, as expressed by CEO Elon Musk, could be a strategic move to expand its presence in the rapidly growing Asian market.