The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., recently made a visit to the Tesla Center in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig with hopes of persuading Tesla to consider building a gigafactory in the country. In a statement, the President expressed his enthusiasm for Tesla’s role in preparing the Filipino workforce for the global shift towards sustainable technologies. He stated, “Tesla is building a generation of Filipinos equipped to lead in the global shift towards sustainable technologies such as this… It is our fervent hope that Tesla might one day choose to manufacture its vehicles in the Philippines.”
This move by the Philippines to attract Tesla follows similar efforts by Indonesia and Thailand. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has engaged in discussions with the President of Indonesia regarding the possibility of establishing a factory in the country. However, no concrete agreements have been reached thus far. Similarly, Tesla has also explored the option of setting up a manufacturing plant in Thailand, but no final decisions have been made.
The Philippines marks the fourth Southeast Asian market that Tesla has entered, with deliveries of the Tesla Model 3 Highland expected to commence later this month. Tesla Philippines aims to introduce the Tesla Model Y vehicles by the end of the first quarter. Once Giga Shanghai is ready to export the new Juniper models to the Philippines, all Model Y orders will automatically switch to the updated version.
President Marcos highlighted the potential of the Philippines as a hub for Tesla’s investment, citing the nation’s forward-thinking policies and commitment to innovation. He emphasized the importance of infrastructure development and supportive industry policies in attracting more investments. President Marcos stated, “As Tesla lays a groundwork, and as we invest in infrastructure and implement policies supporting the industry, competition will grow. Then, what may seem as aspirational today – half of the vehicles in our streets as EVs – will become attainable tomorrow.”
In conclusion, the Philippines’ efforts to woo Tesla for a potential gigafactory reflect the country’s commitment to sustainable technology and economic growth. With the automotive industry moving towards electrification, the prospect of Tesla manufacturing vehicles in the Philippines could signify a significant step towards a cleaner and more sustainable future for the country.