Tesla has officially launched in Saudi Arabia, signifying a new phase in the company's global expansion despite previous tensions between Elon Musk and the kingdom. The extreme heat in the Middle East poses a potential challenge for the performance and battery efficiency of electric vehicles.

In 2018, Musk had suggested securing funding from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund to take Tesla private, but this deal did not materialize, causing ongoing strains in their relationship.

The opening of its initial showroom and service center in Riyadh marks Tesla's awaited entry into the Saudi market, featuring models like Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck. Pop-up stores are also set to open in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.

A diverse crowd attended the Riyadh event, including content creators, car enthusiasts, and eagerly-awaiting Tesla fans. The launch was seen as a significant step toward the country's adoption of electric vehicles.

Notably, Saudi Arabia faces infrastructure challenges, with a lack of public EV charging stations. The government aims to address this by expanding charging networks in line with its sustainability objectives.

Musk has garnered a strong following in Saudi Arabia, praised for his forward-thinking approach and innovation, viewed as a visionary shaping the future of technology.

While attendees expected Musk to make an appearance at the Riyadh event, he was notably absent. Despite controversies in the US related to Musk's involvement in President Donald Trump's administration, Saudi supporters remain optimistic about Tesla's prospects in the kingdom, emphasizing that external political events will not affect the company's performance locally.