Tesla car prices in Malaysia when bought through official channels – is the price in Thailand the clue?
Now that we know that Tesla will officially arrive in Malaysia, Tesla will surprise many people who have never considered buying a car from the American brand before.
That is understandable of course. First, you have to overcome the mental hurdle of the idea of using an electric car as a daily commuter instead of an internal combustion engine car, with concerns about battery range and availability. the charger is the main deterrent.
Then, even after you’ve accepted that an electric car could be your next car, there’s still the concern about aftermarket support for Tesla cars in Malaysia. The nearest official service center is now in Singapore and owners from the Greentech rental scheme have sent their cars back to Hong Kong for major work.
Gray imported Tesla buyers have so far been maintained by third-party workshops run by bold Malaysians such as Weird mods, who seems to have done a good job so far. So far, I’ve never heard of an unrepairable Tesla based on my lurking in Tesla owner groups.
However, there’s no denying that the absence of official support can be a bit overwhelming for many car buyers’ risk appetite, and Tesla’s official presence in Malaysia will change that.
But how much will Malaysian Tesla buyers pay for their car? CBU imported electric cars are now exempt from import tax and excise tax. The only duty they will have to pay is 10% SST.
So it makes sense that the official imported Tesla Malaysia could be cheaper than the gray imported Teslas currently on sale as the gray importer’s profit margin would be gone. But how much can they be valued? Perhaps we should take the valuation of Tesla cars in neighboring northern Thailand as a guide.
Here are the prices for the Tesla Model 3 and Y in Thailand, here are the only Tesla models currently on sale there (No Model S and X yet):
- Tesla Model 3 SR+ – THB 1,759,000
- Tesla Model 3 LR – THB 1,999,000
- Tesla Model 3 P – THB 2,309,000
- Tesla Model Y SR+ – THB 1,959,000
- Tesla Model Y LR – 2,259,000 THB
- Tesla Model YP – THB 2,509,000
At today’s exchange rate, this is the above price in Malaysian ringgit:
- Tesla Model 3 SR+ – RM225k
- Tesla Model 3 LR – RM256k
- Tesla Model 3 P – RM296k
- Tesla Model Y SR+ – RM251k
- Tesla Model Y LR THB RM290k
- Tesla Model YP – RM322k
If you add in 10% as a buffer to the excise tax, could this be the price Tesla cars might be priced at in Malaysia?
- Tesla Model 3 SR+ – RM247k
- Tesla Model 3 LR – RM281k
- Tesla Model 3 P – RM326k
- Tesla Model Y SR+ – RM276k
- Tesla Model Y LR THB RM319k
- Tesla Model YP – RM354k
What do you think about the potential price, are you attracted to buying a Tesla in Malaysia? If so, what patterns and variations will you be looking at? Strolling around with the family in a Long Range Model Y, or cruising around in a Model 3 Performance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
