Tesla job ads signal plans to set up in Singapore 

Tesla is looking for senior developers in Singapore. PHOTO: AFP

SINGAPORE (BLOOMBERG) - Tesla is advertising for roles based in Singapore, signaling Elon Musk's electric-vehicle maker is preparing to set up shop in the wealthy city-state it has so far skirted.

The car manufacturer is advertising for positions such as store leader and sales adviser in the city, according to postings on its website dated August and July.

A Tesla representative in Beijing declined to comment.

Musk has previously criticised Singapore for not being supportive of electric vehicles, and Tesla hasn't got any showrooms in the city where the premium-car market is dominated by brands such as BMW and Daimler's Mercedes-Benz. The California-based company has a strong presence in other major Asia-Pacific markets, including China, Hong Kong, Sydney, Tokyo and Taipei.

Singapore said this year it plans to phase out fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2040, planning to add incentives to encourage consumers to buy electric cars. The island state has been relatively slow to adopt EVs and Musk said on Twitter in January 2019 that the government was unwelcoming.

Tesla plans to ship cars made at its new Shanghai factory to other countries in Asia, including Singapore, people familiar with the matter said this month. Shipments could start as soon as the end of this year or early 2021, according to the people.

Correction note: Bloomberg has corrected a story published on Sept 22 that said Tesla has posted fresh job ads for roles based in Singapore. On Sept 23, Bloomberg removed the reference to the new ads, saying the ads were for another company.

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