Tesla to Launch First Showroom in Mumbai on July 15; Hiring for Roles in Mumbai, Pune & Delhi
Mumbai, July 12, 2024: Tesla is set to officially enter the Indian market with the launch of its first showroom, or “Experience Center,” at Maker Maxity Mall in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex on July 15. This eagerly awaited move will mark Tesla’s first on-ground presence in India, years after speculation and lobbying regarding its entry. The company is also actively hiring for roles across Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi as it establishes its footprint in the country.
A Long-Awaited Launch
The launch event, expected to last around 90 minutes, will serve as an unveiling of the new Tesla Experience Center and may also coincide with the commencement of direct sales to Indian customers. Tesla’s foray into India has been in the making for years, but the recent months have shown an acceleration in efforts, particularly since April when Tesla CEO Elon Musk met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss cooperation in technology and innovation.
According to multiple reports, including Reuters and Bloomberg, Tesla has signed a lease for the Mumbai showroom earlier this year and is now moving forward with a formal launch. While the showroom will showcase Tesla vehicles, it will not include manufacturing operations. Instead, Tesla will import its electric vehicles from its facilities in Shanghai and Berlin.
First Batch of Vehicles Already Shipped
Tesla has already shipped five units of the Model Y from its Shanghai Gigafactory to Mumbai. The vehicles, declared at ₹2.77 million (approx. $31,988) each, incurred over ₹2.1 million in import duties per unit—highlighting the high 70% import tariff India imposes on fully built electric cars. This steep duty has long been a point of contention in Tesla’s negotiations with the Indian government.
Focus on Retail, Not Manufacturing
Despite Tesla’s official entry into India, the Union Minister for Heavy Industries, HD Kumaraswamy, stated last month that the company has no plans to manufacture in India at this stage. “Tesla, we are not actually expected from them, they are only to start showrooms,” he told ANI. The government has maintained that no special concessions will be granted to Tesla, and that India’s EV policies will remain uniform for all global manufacturers.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal reiterated earlier this year that India is looking to build a comprehensive EV ecosystem and won’t tailor its policies to suit individual players. India is offering reduced tariffs of 15% only to those who commit $500 million in investment and local manufacturing—terms Tesla has yet to accept.
Tesla Begins Hiring in India
Ahead of Tesla India showroom launch, the electric carmaker has begun recruitment in Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi, according to job listings on LinkedIn. Available positions include:
- Showroom Advisors
- Security Personnel
- Vehicle Operators (for Autopilot data collection)
- Service Technicians
- Store Managers (notably in New Delhi)
You can view and apply to the current openings here:
👉 Tesla India Job Openings on LinkedIn
Competition and Challenges Ahead
Tesla India showroom launch comes as the company faces slowing sales in China and Europe, prompting it to explore new markets. However, it will encounter stiff competition from established players such as Tata Motors and BYD, which already have a strong presence in India’s growing EV segment.
While the Mumbai showroom is a key milestone, Tesla’s future success in India may hinge on whether it eventually commits to local manufacturing, as high import duties continue to pose a pricing challenge.
