When Tesla began taking orders for its first car in America in 2006, before initial customer deliveries commenced in 2008, it fundamentally disrupted the traditional automotive retail model.
Instead of establishing franchised dealership networks and having physical showrooms with salespeople to take orders, the American automaker chose to sell directly using online channels.
That direct-to-consumer approach was unprecedented for an automaker at the time, although it would prove to be far-sighted since it is used today by virtually all automakers (thought complementary to having showrooms and dealers).
Tesla has maintained its foundational business philosophy and critics are silenced since it very quickly became the bestselling EV brand in the world between 2018 and 2024 (now No.2 to BYD).
When it entered the Malaysian market in July 2023, it stuck to the same approach and customers could only buy a Tesla by ordering it online through their own website. Initially, there was only one physical Tesla facility located in Cyberjaya for its own subsidiary as well as aftersales support.
However, over time, as in other markets, it slowly opened Experience Centres to display its models so interested customers could actually feel and sit in the EVs, and test-drives were available.
From 1 to 7 Experience Centres
Today, it has 7 such Experience Centres, including one in Kuching, Sarawak which opened in February this year. It has also opened aftersales centres in a few locations to provide service support to owners in various regions of the country.
This week, Tesla Malaysia opened the seventh Experience Centre in Kuala Lumpur at MidValley Megamall, complementing the first one that opened at Pavilion Damansara in October 2023. Located between the Megamall and the Gardens Mall, it acts as an experiential hub for the public to see and touch the products and learn about the EV technology in them.
Own charging station network
As part of its commitment to the government to help in the transition towards electric mobility, Tesla has also been installing its proprietary fast-charging stations around the country. Known as Superchargers, these charging stations can provide DC supply up to 250 kW for quick recharging.
Four of these Superchargers have been installed at Zone B on Level B1 of the Gardens Mall. This addition brings Tesla’s nationwide network to 21 stations with 92 individual Supercharger points. Originally only for Tesla vehicles, Tesla Malaysia has made available Superchargers at 4 stations in the Klang Valley since March 2026 to EVs of other brands.
The network includes 18 Destination Charging sites (78 chargers) that supply AC power which recharges at a slower rate. Up till the middle of 2026, Tesla owners could use the Destination Chargers for free but there is now a charge of 88 sen/kWh. The Destination Chargers are only for Tesla vehicles.
Six more locations are planned across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, Seremban, and Penang before the end of 2026.
Tesla closes EV charging gap in Perak for travellers from Singapore to Thailand