Tesla to officially enter local market on November 8th
Top Gear Philippines, 1 Nov '24
While there has been a recent influx of car brands, primarily from mainland China, one marque that has consistently captured attention is Tesla.
Tesla Philippines is set to be formally introduced on 8th November 2024, at the Uptown Mall in Taguig, Metro Manila.
Construction of the showroom has been ongoing for several months. Following the press launch on 8th November, the showroom will open to the public on 9th November 2024.
For months, speculation has surrounded Tesla's imminent arrival. Hiring notices have surfaced, but the most significant confirmation came when a tarp was spotted covering the showroom under construction.
At this time, there has been no definitive word on which models will be available at launch. However, it is anticipated that the Model X and Model S will be present, based on homologation documents.
Additionally, premium pricing for local Teslas is expected, according to available information. The impact of this on grey market Tesla imports remains uncertain.
Furthermore, it is unclear whether grey market Teslas will be able to utilise local Tesla Superchargers once they are established. These questions have already arisen in anticipation of the launch event.
Tesla may be the last car brand with significant name recognition to enter the Philippine market. Anticipation is high, and there is considerable interest in its products. Teslas are equipped with advanced technology and features that have garnered a loyal following.
Nevertheless, the challenges to electric vehicle adoption in the Philippines are substantial; electric cars may not be suitable for everyone, particularly the highly anticipated Cybertruck.