Tesla to Launch Sales in Saudi Arabia Next Month, Signaling Thaw in Relations with Kingdom

Riyadh - Tesla plans to begin sales in Saudi Arabia next month, according to its website. This move signals a potential reconciliation between CEO Elon Musk and the kingdom, following a dispute stemming from Musk's 2018 proposal to take Tesla private. The launch event is scheduled for April 10 in Riyadh, featuring Tesla's EVs, solar-powered products, the Cybercab, and the Optimus humanoid robot. Pop-up stores will open on April 11 in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Further details on Saudi Arabia plans, including investment for 2025 and beyond, will be announced in coming weeks. This launch occurs despite recent EV sales decline in Europe and protests in the United States related to Musk's political stances and government roles. EV sales in Saudi Arabia are currently low, representing only 1% of total car sales, with Chinese BYD and PIF-backed Lucid already present in the market.