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By Kim Yoo-chul
Tesla Motors confirmed that it plans to build superchargers in Korea, a move seen by many as a concrete measure to expand its profile in the market here.
"We are seeking an experienced implementation manager to oversee the deployment, installation and servicing of Tesla's network of Supercharger and Destination Chargers in Korea," Tesla said on its official website.
It added, "The job is to contract construction partners, oversee construction, commission upon completion, service, troubleshoot and maintain existing sites as needed," the U.S.-based automotive company said.
Tesla said its charging network includes a supercharger, which relies on sophisticated electromechanical systems designed to supply large amounts of power to Tesla vehicles.
The job posting came after Tesla earlier confirmed its plan to establish authorized dealer shops. Tesla's budget electric vehicle (EV) ― Model 3 ― will be available in Korea by next year at the earliest.
The job posting, however, didn't specify the timing of the completion of its superchargers and locations.
According to Tesla, its superchargers are capable of delivering up to half a charge in as little as 20 minutes. Also, superchargers are used for long-distance travel, conveniently located along the most popular routes in Asia.
As of April this year, about 612 supercharging stations have been installed in the United States.
Officials say Tesla's latest plan to build superchargers in the Korean market will further challenge Hyundai Motor on their home turf.
The Korean auto market, which has long been dominated by Hyundai Motor and its sister company Kia Motors, is one of Tesla's growing markets in which the U.S. EV manufacturer is well-positioned to sell its new Model 3.
EVs still account for less than 1 percent of the 21 million cars in Korea, according to market research firms.
But Hyundai and Kia plan on having no fewer than 28 environmentally friendly models in their lineups by the end of 2020 including pure EVs and hybrids.
Hyundai Motor has been selling their updated Ioniq-dubbed compact EVs since January with a type of gasoline-electric hybrid system, although Korea's top automotive firm plans to release a new plug-in version by the end of this year in a preemptive measure to fight back against the Model 3.
"Tesla's Model 3 should be a game changer. For the first time, an EV with sufficient range that is faster, cleaner, more convenient, more communicative and ― we expect cooler ― than competing gasoline-powered cars, will be at an affordable price point for the masses. This is enabled predominantly by Tesla's superior battery technology that just got pushed forwards further and faster than even we expected," Bernstein Research's senior analyst Mark C. Newman said in the latest report to clients.
