- Title: Tesla launches in Thailand, heating up EV market competition
- Date: 7th December 2022
- Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (DECEMBER 7, 2022) (REUTERS) TESLA THAILAND STAFF COUNTING DOWN, TESLA CARS BEING UNVEILED TESLA MODEL 3 CAR TESLA LOGO SIGN READING (English): "MODEL 3" ON CAR TESLA CARS BEING SHOWCASED, CAR TRUNKS OPENING PERSON TAKING VIDEO WITH MOBILE PHONE TESLA CIRCULAR BANNERS HANGING / MODEL Y AND MODEL 3 CARS ON STAGE / MEDIA AND AUDIENCE WATCHING (SOUNDBITE) (English) TESLA THAILAND DIRECTOR, YVONNE CHAN, SAYING: "Because we know without you, a believer in EV technology, Thailand wouldn't be one of the leading EV adapters in Asia-Pacific." HEADLIGHTS FLASHING ON TESLA CARS ON STAGE INTERIOR OF TESLA CAR (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) 36-YEAR-OLD OFFICE WORKER, THITIPUN PAISIRIKUL, SAYING: "I'm excited that a big company is selling directly to the customers without going through the dealers." VARIOUS OF MEDIA AND GUESTS ATTENDING OPENING CEREMONY (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) 36-YEAR-OLD OFFICE WORKER, THITIPUN PAISIRIKUL, SAYING: "Actually, Tesla is produced in China, but the technology ultimately comes from America. That's why I think in terms of technology, Tesla will be better (than Chinese electric cars). I've reserved a Chinese electric car for around 1.2-1.3 million baht ($34,000-37,000) already before I knew that the Tesla would be (listed) at this price. So I think I will drop the reservation and buy a Tesla instead." MODEL Y CAR / HEADLIGHTS BLINKING TESLA LOGO PEOPLE FILMING AND TAKING PHOTOS OF MODEL Y CAR (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) 37-YEAR-OLD POTENTIAL BUYER, BENJAREE JARUCHOTIRATANAAKUL, SAYING: "If I ever buy a new car, I would buy an electric car instead of a diesel or hybrid one." CHAN (SCREEN LEFT) AND U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THAILAND ROBERT F GODEC (SCREEN RIGHT) GUESTS SEATED AT OPENING CEREMONY SIGN ON STAGE READING (English): “TESLA†/ TESLA CARS ON STAGE / OPENING CEREMONY IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 21st December 2022 08:44
- Keywords: Bangkok EV market EVs Electric Green Energy Model 3 Model Y Tesla Tesla Thailand Thailand electric vehicles
- Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
- City: BANGKOK, THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Company News Markets,Economic Events
- Reuters ID: LVA001499107122022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Tesla Inc launched two electric vehicle (EV) models in Thailand on Wednesday (December 7), making its first foray into the regional autos hub that has long been dominated by Japanese manufacturers.
The launch of two EVs with prices ranging between 1.7 million baht ($48,447) to 2.5 million baht ($71,205) comes as Thailand makes a push for EV adoption and production by offering tax cuts and subsidies.
The U.S. automaker plans to start selling its EVs in Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy via online channels, with deliveries set to start early next year. But it faces stiff competition from Chinese brands like BYD and Great Wall Motors, which have set up showrooms and distribution partners in recent years to reach customers and offer EVs with prices starting at 800,000 baht ($22,794).
Tesla did not provide details on sales targets.
Thailand is Asia's fourth-largest auto assembly and export hub for companies like Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co Ltd. It produces about 1.5 million to 2 million vehicles annually, of which about half are exported.
Fuel-based vehicles, especially by Japanese brands, still dominate the market and uptake of EVs has been gradually gaining momentum, with about 7,000 new battery EVs registered in the first ten months of 2022, according to Thailand Automotive Institute, up from 2,000 last year.
Customers who showed up to Tesla's launch in a luxury mall in central Bangkok said they were were interested in the new cars being offered.
"I'm excited that a big company is selling directly to the customers without going through the dealers," said office worker Thitipun Paisirikul, 36, adding he expected the re-sale value of the car would be high.
The government wants at least 30% of vehicles produced in the country to be electric by 2030.
State-owned energy firm PTT Group this year announced a $1 billion joint venture with Taiwan's Foxconn to produce EVs in Thailand.
(Production: Artorn Pookasook, Kwang Jiraporn Kuhakan) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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