Tesla in India Current Status Future Plans and Market Impact

Tesla India Entry: Showrooms and Rollout

Tesla officially entered the Indian market with the August 15, 2025 inauguration of its first experience centre (showroom) in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) covering roughly 4 000 sq. ft. The centre was launched as a retail hub for viewing and ordering the Model Y, mostly imported from Shanghai .

Tesla chose two prime locations in India:
New Delhi in the Aerocity area near the international airport, and Mumbai’s BKC. Both are upscale business districts that support luxury branding .

Model Y Launch and Pricing

Tesla India launched the Model Y, offered in rear‑wheel‑drive and long‑range variants. Prices start at approximately ₹59.9 lakh (~US $70 000) and go up to ₹67.9 lakh (~US $80 000), including import duties that range from 70 % up to over 100 % . Deliveries to customers are expected to begin in late August or September 2025, with general availability from October 2025 onward .

Tesla’s India website now accepts bookings across most states. Booking requires a non‑refundable ₹22 220 deposit, with further payments needed shortly thereafter .

Hiring and Operations

Tesla is actively recruiting in Mumbai and Delhi. About 13 mid‑level roles were posted across customer support, sales, service, and operations. This hiring push followed Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Elon Musk and reflects Tesla’s strategic intent to build local teams and infrastructure .

Manufacturing Plans: Not Immediate

Current plans do not include setting up manufacturing or assembly in India. According to India’s Heavy Industries Minister, Tesla is currently focused on rolling out two showrooms only and is not pursuing local production under the current EV policy scheme (SMEC/SPMEPCI) .

Challenges and Market Context

Key issues Tesla faces in India include:

• High import duties, even after India reduced EV duties from ~70 % to 15% under certain schemes

• Luxury pricing, making Model Y affordable only to a small segment of buyers

• Limited EV infrastructure, including charging availability in apartments and metros

• Competition from established players such as Tata Motors, Mahindra, MG, and BYD

• Uncertain future: long‑term success depends on policy support, charging network, and possibly domestic assembly .

Summary

Tesla has begun a retail‑first, import‑only launch in India with:

• One showroom in Mumbai launched in July 2025

• A planned second showroom in Delhi

• Model Y bookings live and deliveries scheduled late August or later

• Local hiring underway across sales and service functions

• No manufacturing plans at present, consistent with ministerial statements

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FAQs

Is Tesla available in India now?

Yes, Tesla has opened its first experience centre in Mumbai in mid‑July 2025 and accepts online Model Y orders via its Indian website .

How many Tesla showrooms are there in India?

Currently there is one operational showroom in Mumbai. A second is expected to open in the Delhi NCR area soon .

Are Tesla cars made in India?

No, Tesla is currently importing full vehicles (CBUs). The company is not pursuing local manufacturing under current government policy even while discussions continue .

What is the price of Model Y in India?

Model Y prices start around ₹59.9 lakh for rear‑wheel drive and go up to ₹67.9 lakh for long‑range variant, before any local taxes or on‑road charges .

When do deliveries start in India?

Tesla plans to begin deliveries in late August or early September 2025, with mass deliveries rolling out through the later months .

How is customer response in India so far?

While there is strong interest from luxury buyers and EV enthusiasts, early pre‑order customers have reported delivery delays and limited communication. High costs and minimal infrastructure may hinder broader adoption initially .