Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 11: In a significant move marking its much-anticipated entry into the Indian market, Elon Musk’s Tesla is set to open its first showroom in India at Mumbai’s prestigious Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on July 15. The event, described as the official “launch of Tesla in India,” will unveil a brand-new Tesla Experience Centre, offering a glimpse into the future of electric mobility in the world’s third-largest automobile market.
Sources confirm that Tesla has already imported vehicles and merchandise worth close to $1 million into the country in the past six months. The consignment includes the company’s popular Model Y EVs, charging equipment, and branded accessories—shipped primarily from China and the United States.
Despite CEO Elon Musk’s repeated criticism of India’s steep import duties, Tesla has decided to begin its journey here with imported models, incurring approximately 70% in tariffs and other levies. This strategic entry comes as the company navigates sluggish global sales and surplus production across its international plants.
The data reveals that Tesla shipped at least six Model Y vehicles, with five priced at $32,500 each and a long-range version at $46,000. Several Tesla Superchargers have also been brought in, hinting at the early phase of a charging infrastructure rollout.
The Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has consistently expressed interest in bringing Tesla to the country. In a bid to attract the EV giant, authorities recently announced a policy framework aimed at encouraging local manufacturing of electric vehicles, though Tesla has yet to commit to a domestic production facility.
With Mumbai chosen as the launchpad, industry experts believe Tesla is testing the Indian waters with a premium, urban-centric approach before possibly scaling up operations in other metro cities.
The official unveiling on July 15 is expected to be a high-profile affair, marking the beginning of what could be a transformative chapter in India’s electric vehicle revolution.