Philippines President Opens Tesla Service Center – CleanTechnica

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Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM) highlighted his administration’s support for sustainable transportation and ongoing efforts to transition towards more electric vehicles (EVs) by gracing the launch of the Tesla Service Center at the Tesla Experience Center in Uptown Mall Bonifacio Global Center yesterday morning.

“No one is more excited than I am at this launching of the Tesla Center in the Philippines,” PBBM said in his speech as he acknowledged Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Deck Go, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetanom and Tesla Philippines President Isabel Fan.

PBBM’s government has taken several strategic steps to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles. Encouraging the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) offers duty-free importation for charging stations and lower user fees for EV owners. He also issued Executive Order (EO) No. 62, which reduces tariffs on electric four-wheelers and motorcycles to zero until 2028. This policy aims to encourage investment in clean energy technologies and support local innovation in the EV sector.

The audience applauded at his acknowledgment of EVs as “the future” as he noted the adverse effects of climate change on the Philippines, emphasizing that “our country … has experienced and continues to experience the adverse effects of climate change.” This recognition reflects a broader understanding of the urgent need for action against global warming.

“Tesla’s decision to invest in the Philippines is a recognition of our nation’s potential,” Marcos Jr. said, reinforcing his belief that strategic policies can attract foreign investment while also benefiting local communities.

Marcos highlighted the government’s Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry, which aims for a 50 percent market share of electric vehicles in the Philippines by 2040. This ambitious target signals a long-term vision for transforming the country’s transportation system into a more sustainable model.

Tesla isn’t the first EV maker he has courted. In January of last year, he met with Vingroup Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong and the group’s senior executives in Hanoi. Two months later, VinFast set up shop in the Philippines, set up one dealer. Vingroup has promised more investments in the Philippines, including a battery factory, support for an all-electric taxi service, and electric buses.

PBBM underscored how Tesla’s investment goes beyond just infrastructure; it represents an investment in Filipino talent.

“Every hire represents an investment in the Filipino talent that will drive this transition forward.” This sentiment reflects a commitment not only to economic growth but also to empowering local communities through job creation and skill development. Marcos further articulated his hope that Tesla might eventually manufacture vehicles in the Philippines, which would significantly enhance local capabilities and foster innovation within the country. By inaugurating facilities that produce essential components like advanced iron-phosphate batteries, he is laying down a foundation for a robust EV ecosystem.

The establishment this service center also allowed the company to release the first five Teslas to its new owners. The American EV maker operates under a direct-to-consumer sales model, which differs from traditional dealership networks. This model relies heavily on customer service and support through dedicated service centers. After its brand launch, it actually started offering cars for sales and then set up its first charging network station in Uptown Mall. The service center completes the Tesla EV ecosystem for owners in the Metro Manila area. As of January 2025, the Tesla Model 3 and the Model Y are available. CleanTechnica learned that the Model X and Model S are online, as is the Cybertruck, though at least three examples have been imported gray market.

Will the Tesla service center service vehicles not bought from Tesla Philippines?

“All Teslas are the same everywhere in the world,” says a representative at the service center. “All Teslas run on the same hardware and the software can be tuned on air very soon. We don’t discriminate where the Teslas come from.”

For his part, the country’s president concluded his speech by calling to Tesla executives “… to work together to ensure that this milestone runs parallel with our shared journey towards sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.”