Singapore is discussing with more electric car companies after Dyson, but Tesla apparently not among them

LOS ANGELES – As a result of Dyson Ltd.'s projects to build its first electric car in Singapore at the end of last year, the city-state is in talks with other green vehicle manufacturers to settle on the island.

Singapore is highlighting its connectivity to global markets through free trade agreements, highly skilled workforce and strict protection of intellectual property, essential for the sector, according to the government agency set up to attract investment in the country.

"I hope that they will not be the only ones to land," said an interview with Chng Kai Fong, chief executive of the Singapore Economic Development Board, referring to Dyson's plans. "We are in active negotiations or discussions with a few others. The idea is to build clusters. "

Applying to other electric car manufacturers will create scale for the sector in Singapore, which will also boost the development of autonomous vehicles in the country. The use of high-tech robotics and automation, as well as supply chain management and connectivity, could help dispel concerns about high labor costs in Singapore.

"It's a lot more of a capital game than a manpower game," Chng said in San Francisco, where his agency hosted two technology conferences, including the Bridge Forum. "It plays to our strength."

Dyson, the very small manufacturer of hand dryers and vacuum cleaners, announced in October its intention to finish its plant by 2020 with the goal of deploying its first model by 2021 as part of a 2-year effort. billions of pounds cars.

Earlier this year, billionaire inventor James Dyson raised the issue by announcing his intention to transfer his company's headquarters to Singapore from the UK, due to Asia's growing importance for its operations.

Singapore does not have a single car manufacturing plant and is one of the most expensive places in the world to buy a car. And all electric car manufacturers are not fans.

Elon Musk tweeted in January that Singapore was not friendly to Tesla Inc., adding to his earlier claims that the government did not support EVs. The billionaire managing director responded to a tweet by asking why Tesla was not in the nation of Southeast Asia. Musk said in May that Tesla had tried to bring his cars to Singapore, without success, as the government did not "support" electric vehicles.

Singapore is also being pushed back by some companies for introducing a carbon tax. The government has said it wants to help meet the obligations of the Paris Agreement, but would also increase the costs compared to other Asian markets.

"More and more, carbon will be a constraint," said Chng. "But we must do it. It is a compromise between our obligations, our environmental sustainability and our economic growth. "