KUALA LUMPUR - Tesla’s reported decision to abandon plans to build electric vehicle (EV) factories in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia has been attributed to business losses and competition from China, says Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

       He revealed that Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz had directly received the information regarding Tesla’s situation.

       “Zafrul has received the latest information. This is because Tesla is facing losses and cannot compete with EVs from China.

       “This is the direct statement that we received, not from media coverage,” Datuk Seri Anwar told the press after launching the management and governance guidelines for federal statutory bodies here on Aug 9.

       He was addressing questions about reports suggesting Tesla had shelved plans to build factories in the three South-east Asian nations to concentrate on setting up charging stations.

       While Tesla initially showed interest in Thailand, Mr Anwar noted that its plans for Malaysia were still in the early stages.

       Tesla currently operates sales offices and showrooms in Thailand and Malaysia.

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       In March, the Thai Prime Minister’s office reportedly said that Tesla was in talks with the Thai government to build a production facility in the country, with Thailand offering a 100 per cent green facility.

       Following reports of the cancellation, Datuk Seri Zafrul clarified that the ministry had never officially announced that Tesla would open a factory in Malaysia.

       He said Tesla had also never announced plans to build a factory in the country.

       Mr Zafrul also said that reports about the factory were not based on an official statement from Tesla but had quoted anonymous sources. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK