The wait is over! Tesla, the world’s leading electric car maker helmed by Elon Musk, is officially stepping into the Indian market with its first showroom all set to open in Mumbai next month. A second showroom in Delhi is also in the pipeline, marking a historic milestone as India—now the world’s third-largest auto market—welcomes one of the most sought-after EV brands.
This strategic move comes amid slowing Tesla sales in Europe and China, making India a fresh battleground for the EV giant.
Made in China, Driven in India: Model Y SUVs Land at Indian Ports
The first batch of Tesla’s best-selling Model Y SUVs, manufactured at its Shanghai factory, has already arrived at Indian ports. These rear-wheel-drive models are among the world’s most popular electric cars. Tesla has also begun importing chargers, spare parts, and merchandise from global facilities in the US, China, and the Netherlands to support its India operations.
High Stakes, High Price: India’s Tax Challenge
While pricing details remain under wraps, reports suggest the Model Y could sell for over USD 56,000 (approx. ₹46 lakh) in India—far higher than its US price of USD 44,990—due to India’s steep import duties (70% on EVs under USD 40,000). Tesla has imported five Model Ys, each declared at ₹27.7 lakh, with additional import taxes of ₹21 lakh per car.
A Deal Years in the Making
This landmark launch follows Elon Musk’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US earlier this year, where discussions resolved long-standing tariff and manufacturing policy issues that delayed Tesla’s India plans.
India’s EV Revolution Gets a Global Boost
With its Mumbai launch just weeks away and Delhi on the horizon, Tesla is poised to shake up India’s EV landscape—bringing luxury, innovation, and global prestige to Indian roads.