Elon Musk reveals major Tesla investment in Japan — here’s what we know so far
Billionaire Elon Musk announced on Monday that Tesla is making a ‘major’ investment in Japan to expand the electric vehicle maker’s service infrastructure and supercharger network in the country.
The move underscores Tesla’s strategy to keep pace with growing demand for EVs while strengthening its footprint in one of the world’s most developed automotive markets.
According to a report prepared by Nikkei AsiaThis expansion comes as the EV maker plans to increase the number of service centers in Japan from 14 to more than 30 this year in a bid to improve after-sales support for customers and gain market share.
“Tesla is making a big investment in Japan with service and Superchargers,” Tesla chief Musk wrote on X.
Tesla’s ties with Japan
Musk also commented on Tesla’s business ties with Japan in the post. He said many parts in Tesla cars are produced in Japan. He also added that Panasonic has been the EV company’s largest supplier in the last 20 years.
“Most of the parts on Teslas are made in Japan. Panasonic has been our largest strategic supplier for the last 20 years.” [sic]Musk said in the tweet.
Nikkei Asia The report notes that Tesla will leverage “turnkey” properties previously used as maintenance workshops, which will help the company quickly expand its service center network at low cost.
Meanwhile, in areas without directly operated service centers, Tesla is partnering with local auto care facilities, providing customers with more than 50 locations where they can service their vehicles.
Tesla is in high demand in Japan
Tesla’s sales in Japan rose 90% last year to nearly 10,600 vehicles, surpassing the previous high of 5,900 vehicles in 2022, the report said.
The sharp increase in demand could be attributed to Tesla’s limited-time discounts, which could help boost sales. The company also shifted its focus from online marketing to in-person sales at dealerships, increasing the number of dealers to about 30 in 2025 from about 10 previously.
After the customer completes the registration process for a new vehicle, the first mandatory auto inspection must be carried out within three years. With sales increasing in Japan, Tesla predicts that the demand for inspections will also increase.
Therefore, the expansion of the service center network will enable the company to meet the demands of its customers for auto inspection and periodic maintenance checks of their vehicles.
The report noted that Tesla has taken major steps to maintain its expanding customer base in Japan, including expanding its service center network and improving customer support.
