Back in October, we had the chance to get up close with the first two Tesla vehicles to be brought in to Malaysia via official channels – the exclusive preview of the vehicles, both rear-wheel drive Model S 85 versions offered not just a comprehensive photo gallery but also a chance to get an initial feel of the car, albeit in limited scope, given that the cars hadn’t been registered at that point. Last month, through a special arrangement, we were again invited to have another go with the car for a day, the road-going session offering a better insight into its character and workings in real-world conditions. A recap on timelines and perspective, for those still unaware of the unique manner in which Tesla vehicles are set to be deployed in the country. The two S 85s are essentially the lead elements of a programme initiated by Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia), one that will see Teslas being made available here through a leasing scheme. The main bulk of the cars, when they eventually arrive, will be available on a contracted two-year leasing period, and will – as mentioned when the programme was first brought to light in May this year – only be offered to government-linked companies (GLC). The intent of all this is to allow influential parties the means to better understand the merits of electric vehicles (EVs) by sampling the technology for themselves, and is meant to aid GreenTech Malaysia’s push to expand the EV… [Read full story]
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