April 26, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Tesla Korea started delivering its Model S 90D sedan, its first car model on sale, to customers on June 20, marking the official launch of the iconic US EV maker in the country.

Customers received their cars at an invitation-only event at a service center in Deungchon-dong, western Seoul.

Jon McNeill, Tesla head of global sales and services, attended the event, in addition to some 120 guests, including customers and their families. 

Despite high expectations here, Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk did not attend the event.

The carmaker introduced the electric sedan and demonstrated its semi-autonomous system Autopilot during the small-scale event.

Internet connectivity running the high-speed LTE network started service as well, allowing drivers to use faster in-car internet than the previous 3G.

With the first car delivery, Tesla is speeding up its expansion in the country.

Tesla opened two stores in March -- one in the shopping mall Starfield Hanam that is owned by Shinsegae Group and the other in Seoul’s posh district of Cheongdam-dong.

The carmaker has completed constructing four high-speed supercharger stations. The first station was installed at the underground parking lot of Grand InterContinental Hotel in southern Seoul in May, followed by three stations which opened on June 1 -- at Gran Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul; Tedin Resort in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province; and Hansol Oak Valley Resort in Wonu, Gangwon Province.

In total, Tesla plans to build 14 supercharger stations across the country by the year-end.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)