Israel News

Tesla in Israel: Electric car company moves forward with launch plans

In late January, Calcalist reported the transport ministry decided to allow Tesla’s semi-autonomous driving system, Autopilot, to be used in Israel, after initially banning it.

By Udi Etsion and Tomer Hadar, Calcalist

Elon Musk’s electric and autonomous car company Tesla Inc. is moving ahead with its plans to launch commercially in Israel.

According to one person familiar with the matter who spoke to Calcalist on condition of anonymity, Tesla recently appointed Ilan Benano as its technical service manager in the country.

Benano, a former executive at Israeli Mercedes importer Colmobil Ltd. and Audi importer Champion Motors, will be in charge of training the technical teams that will service the company’s cars in Israel and of setting up specialized auto repair shops, the person said.

Setting up a repair service in Israel is crucial to receiving regulatory approval from Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety to import and sell more than 20 cars a year in the country.

Tesla was initially expected to launch operations in Israel in January, but regulatory hurdles postponed its plans.

In late January, Calcalist reported the transport ministry decided to allow Tesla’s semi-autonomous driving system, Autopilot, to be used in Israel, after initially banning it.

Earlier that month, Calcalist reported Tesla had leased a showroom in Tel Aviv.

Tesla’s Israel launch team is using the 20 vehicles already imported by the company for test drives for potential clients ahead of the launch expected in the upcoming months, the person said.

Share
Published by
David Isaac
Tags: Elon Musk Tesla

Recent Posts

  • Israel News

BOMBSHELL: Trump pushing to unite Netanyahu and Bennett, ditch Ben-Gvir – report

Bennett could reverse his campaign pledge and join a Netanyahu-led government, but his demand to…

23 hours ago
  • World News

Fired Pentagon general admitted leaking classified information on Iran

A U.S. official also confirmed that Sylvia confessed to the misconduct after failing four separate…

1 day ago
  • World News

Iranian media halted election coverage after Netanyahu avoided crushing defeat anticipated by Tehran

Before Israelis voted, Tehran had publicly said the outcome of the election did not matter…

1 day ago
  • Israel News

IDF investigates missing Humvee amid concerns over possible base infiltration

The IDF warned that the Humvee "may be used in an attempt to infiltrate IDF bases…

1 day ago
  • Videos

WATCH: CENTCOM commander reveals how the Iran blockade is crushing the regime

U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper detailed his regional visit and the push by…

1 day ago
  • Jewish Diaspora & Antisemitism

Thailand strips chief rabbi of citizenship amid raids on Jewish institutions

The move against a rabbi who has led Thailand's Jewish community for more than 30…

1 day ago