Tesla, the electric vehicle maker led by Elon Musk, has confirmed it will formally arrive in Colombia — a development that has quickly drawn reactions from industry players and President Gustavo Petro, who publicly welcomed the company while urging a deeper industrial commitment to electric vehicle production in the country.
Tesla’s local launch will be staged around the Salon Internacional del Automovil in Bogota, with the company scheduling an official presentation during the event in mid-November. Several Colombian business outlets reported that Tesla Motors Colombia S.A.S., which was registered earlier this year, will use the platform of the Bogota motor show to introduce its operations and plans in the market.
Tesla will arrive in Colombia in November, and President Petro welcomes the move
Information first published by Valora Analitik and picked up by national outlets says Tesla has named Karen Scarpetta — a Colombian executive formerly linked to WeWork — as country manager to lead the brand’s rollout. Local reporting indicates Scarpetta will oversee market entry, local partnerships, and the build-out of charging and service infrastructure. Analysts say having an experienced local manager is key for navigating Colombia’s varied regions and regulatory environment.
The news prompted an immediate response from President Gustavo Petro on social media. Petro posted “Welcome to Colombia, Tesla” on his X account and framed the arrival as an opportunity not only for cleaner mobility but for industrial policy: He suggested Colombia could become a regional center for the manufacture and export of electric vehicles, and argued that internal combustion vehicles should face higher tariffs to accelerate the transition. According to Infobae, his posts reiterated a government interest in attracting investment that supports local production, jobs and supply-chain development.
Petro’s reaction is significant because it aligns political momentum with private investment at a moment when Colombia’s electric vehicle market is expanding rapidly. Government officials have in recent months signalled support for electrification through incentives and procurement targets for public fleets; Tesla’s entry could accelerate charging network deployment and push competitors to deepen operations in the country. Still, Portafoilo reports that observers caution that price, import rules, and infrastructure remain barriers for mass adoption.
Tesla will reveal their business strategy in november
Tesla’s precise retail strategy in Colombia — whether it will use direct sales, franchise partners, or a hybrid approach, and how it will price models already offered in other Latin American markets — remains under close watch. Valora Analitik and other outlets say the company’s initial footprint will prioritize major cities such as Bogota and Medellin, with recruitment notices already showing vacancies for positions in both cities. The timeline for Supercharger network roll-out and after-sales service points has not been fully disclosed.
Industry reaction has been mixed: Environmental and climate policy advocates praised the move as a boost for emissions reductions and technological transfer, while local automakers and some policy analysts noted the competitive pressure on domestic players and the need for clear rules to foster local value creation rather than simple importation of finished units.
Petro’s call for higher tariffs on combustion vehicles is likely to stimulate debate in Congress and among trade stakeholders in the weeks ahead.
Consumers will pay attention to Tesla prices and model offer
For consumers, Tesla’s arrival will raise questions about affordability, warranty coverage and charging access across Colombia’s regions.
For policymakers and business leaders, the crucial next step is negotiating how foreign investment in EVs can translate into local assembly, supplier development and workforce training.
President Petro’s open invitation — and his public nudge toward domestic production — telegraphs that the Colombian government sees Tesla’s entry as more than a sales opportunity: It is a strategic lever to accelerate an industrial shift toward electric mobility.
As the Salon Internacional del Automovil approaches, more details are expected: Tesla’s product lineup, local pricing, rollout map for charging infrastructure and the exact role Karen Scarpetta will play in partnerships with Colombian firms.
For now, the combination of a global EV leader entering the market and an engaged head of state eager to translate that entry into industrial policy marks a new chapter for Colombia’s transport and energy transition.