Tesla has launched the grand opening ceremony recently for its first Service Center in the Philippines, a momentous milestone in its expansion into Southeast Asia. The new facility located in the center of the country will be the headquarters of Tesla in the Philippines, including its showroom, service and delivery operations, and Supercharger station.

Philippines President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attended the ceremony and delivered his strong support for Tesla's investment in the country and encouraged the company to explore local electric vehicle manufacturing.

While Tesla has not made any official announcements regarding manufacturing plans yet in the Philippines, President Marcos remains optimistic. “It is our fervent hope that Tesla might one day choose to manufacture its vehicles in the Philippines,” he stated, highlighting the government's readiness to offer the necessary infrastructure and policy support.

To promote EV adoption and attract global manufacturers, the Philippine government has introduced several initiatives. Such incentives include tax breaks for buyers of Electric Vehicles, while a certain number of charging stations are imported without import duties. Executive Order No. 62 removes electrical car and motorcycle tariffs until 2028 which comes into effect with various broader sustainability goals of the government, one of which is the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry, which is to have 50 percent of the market be electric by 2040.

Philippines President Marcos said, “Tesla’s decision to invest in the Philippines recognizes our nation’s potential and forward-thinking policies”, and added, “We hope Tesla will not only invest in infrastructure but also in Filipino talent, fostering innovation and creating jobs in the country.”

The presence of a qualified local workforce, alongside increasing domestic capabilities in producing high-quality battery supply, makes it the ideal place in the region where Tesla may enter the space with sales and after-sales support.