KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 8): Tesla Inc's reported decision to scrap plans for its production operations in Southeast Asia could be a commercial one involving the electric carmaker's global operations, said the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).

A spokesperson from Miti said this does not reflect the industrial reforms and improved investment landscape that Miti and its agencies have worked on since December 2022.

On Wednesday, a Thai online news portal, quoting an anonymous source in the government, reported that Tesla has scrapped plans to set up factories in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

The Nation reported that Tesla is currently only discussing charging stations, with its factory plans suspended not just in Thailand, but also worldwide.

“They are not proceeding in Malaysia, Indonesia or anywhere else except for China, the United States and Germany,” reported the news portal.

The Miti spokesperson emphasised that the report is not an official statement from Tesla as it was based on comments from an unnamed source.

"Confirmation of the report would have to come from Tesla," he said.

Bernama tried to reach out to Tesla for confirmation but to no avail. 

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Tesla shelves plan to set up factories in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, Thai news portal reports

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