Tesla is gearing up to establish its presence in India, with reports indicating the electric vehicle (EV) giant is finalizing locations for its first showrooms. The company is expected to open its inaugural showroom in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), followed by another in Delhi’s Aerocity. These developments come as Tesla ramps up its hiring efforts in India, signaling serious plans to enter the market.

Tesla’s Showrooms in Mumbai and Delhi

According to reports, Tesla has secured a 4,000-square-foot space on the ground floor of a commercial tower in Mumbai’s BKC. The company is reportedly paying a monthly rent of approximately ₹900 per square foot, amounting to around ₹35 lakh per month. The lease is said to be for a five-year term.

While details about Tesla’s Delhi showroom remain scarce, it is expected to be located in the city’s premium Aerocity complex. The official timeline for the inauguration of these showrooms has not yet been revealed.

Growing Indications of Tesla’s India Launch

Tesla’s move to secure showroom spaces in India comes just weeks after CEO Elon Musk met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s US visit. The meeting fueled speculation about Tesla’s long-awaited entry into the Indian market.

Additionally, Tesla has listed multiple job openings in India, further confirming its expansion plans. While earlier reports mentioned around 13 job listings, a recent search shows that the company now has approximately 17 open positions in India, spanning roles across operations, sales, and service.

Tesla’s On-and-Off India Strategy

Tesla’s India entry has been a topic of discussion for several years, with previous attempts in 2022 and 2024 failing due to regulatory challenges. The primary hurdles have been high import duties on foreign-made EVs and the Indian government’s push for local manufacturing.

Currently, India imposes a 110% import duty on EVs priced above $35,000 (₹34.94 lakh), making Tesla’s vehicles significantly more expensive for Indian consumers. However, recent reports suggest that the Indian government is considering reducing the import duty to 15% for companies that commit to local manufacturing.

Under the proposed policy, automakers must invest at least ₹4,150 crore (excluding land and building costs) and establish local assembly units. Additionally, companies must achieve a minimum turnover of ₹2,500 crore by the second year, ₹5,000 crore by the fourth year, and ₹7,500 crore by the fifth year.

If these policy changes are implemented, it could pave the way for Tesla’s official entry into India, benefiting both the company and the overall EV ecosystem in the country.

Conclusion

With Tesla finalizing showroom locations in Mumbai and Delhi and actively recruiting in India, the company’s long-awaited debut in the country appears to be moving forward. While challenges remain, including regulatory approvals and potential policy shifts, Tesla’s presence in India could significantly impact the premium EV market and accelerate the adoption of electric mobility.