Tesla to Launch in India with Mumbai Showroom
Tesla will officially enter the Indian market with the opening of its first showroom, called the Tesla Experience Centre, in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on July 15. The move marks a major milestone in India’s electric vehicle landscape, with the company preparing to showcase its globally popular Model Y SUV.
Five Model Y SUVs Shipped for Display
Ahead of the launch, Tesla has shipped five Model Y units from its Shanghai factory. These vehicles are priced at around ₹27.7 lakh before duties. However, once import tariffs are included, the final price is expected to exceed ₹50 lakh, placing the vehicle in India’s luxury EV segment.
Expansion Plans Underway
Following Mumbai, Tesla is likely to open its next showroom in Delhi. The company has also leased a property in Mumbai’s Kurla West for service and support operations. Hiring has begun for retail, service, and engineering roles across key Indian cities.
No Local Manufacturing Yet
Despite earlier discussions with the Indian government regarding local manufacturing under the Make in India initiative, Tesla is entering the market with fully built imported vehicles only. There is no timeline yet for setting up local production or assembly facilities.
Delivery and Outlook
Deliveries are expected to begin in late August. Tesla’s entry comes at a time when India is pushing for greater electric vehicle adoption, and analysts view this move as an initial step before broader localisation. However, the high price of Tesla vehicles may limit their reach to premium buyers in metro cities.
