Mumbai, July 15, 2025 – Tesla, the global electric vehicle (EV) giant led by CEO Elon Musk, officially marked its entry into the Indian market with the grand opening of its first showroom in Mumbai’s upscale Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) at Maker Maxity Mall. The launch, a significant milestone for the American automaker, signals the beginning of Tesla’s ambitious journey in the world’s third-largest automobile market.
The sleek 4,000-square-foot showroom, designed with Tesla’s signature minimalist aesthetic, showcased two variants of its best-selling Model Y SUV, priced at ₹59.89 lakh for the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) variant and ₹67.89 lakh for the Long Range RWD variant. These prices reflect India’s steep import duties of 70% to 100%, making the vehicles significantly costlier than in markets like the US ($44,990) or China (₹30.5 lakh). Despite the premium pricing, Tesla aims to target India’s affluent urban consumers, competing with luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz rather than local players like Tata Motors or Mahindra & Mahindra.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Tesla Experience Centre, calling it “a statement that Tesla has arrived in the right city and state.” He emphasized Mumbai’s role as India’s entrepreneurial and innovation hub, adding, “Tesla is not just a car company but stands for innovation and sustainability.” Fadnavis also expressed hope that Tesla would consider establishing research and development and manufacturing facilities in Maharashtra in the future.
The launch event, attended by media and car enthusiasts, featured a white and a red Model Y on display, drawing crowds eager to explore Tesla’s cutting-edge technology. The India-spec Model Y, imported from Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory, boasts a 15.4-inch central touchscreen, minimalist dual-tone interiors, and advanced features like wireless charging, voice commands, and app-based vehicle access. The vehicles have been adapted for Indian roads after two years of testing, though Tesla’s full self-driving features remain unavailable due to pending regulatory approvals in India.
Tesla’s entry follows years of negotiations and policy hurdles, primarily centered around India’s high import tariffs, which Musk has repeatedly criticized. The Indian government’s new EV policy, offering reduced duties for manufacturers committing to local production, has paved the way for Tesla’s debut, though the company has no immediate plans for local manufacturing, as confirmed by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
To support its operations, Tesla has secured a trade certificate from Mumbai’s Andheri RTO and plans to establish a robust charging infrastructure, with seven Supercharger sites planned in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, including locations in Aerocity, Saket, Noida, Gurugram, Thane, and Navi Mumbai. A second showroom in Delhi’s Aerocity is expected to open soon, with Tesla actively hiring for sales, service, and operational roles across both cities.
Industry analysts view Tesla’s entry as a strategic move to test India’s premium EV market, which accounts for just 4% of total vehicle sales. “Tesla’s high price point positions it as a niche, status-driven product for wealthy, tech-savvy buyers,” said Diwakar Murugan, an automotive analyst at Canalys. However, competition is fierce, with local brands like Tata and Mahindra offering more affordable EVs and international players like BYD and VinFast expanding aggressively.
The launch coincides with Tesla’s broader ambitions in India, including the rollout of Starlink’s commercial internet services, which recently received regulatory clearance. As Tesla begins deliveries in the third quarter of 2025, all eyes are on whether the EV giant can navigate India’s price-sensitive market and high tariffs to carve out a significant presence in this rapidly growing EV ecosystem.
Stay tuned for updates on Tesla’s expansion plans and India’s evolving electric vehicle landscape.
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