Tesla Inc., the renowned American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is advancing its plans to establish a presence in the Indian automotive market.
This strategic move follows a recent meeting between Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter's state visit to the United States, reports the Times of India.
The company has initiated a recruitment drive, advertising 13 positions based in Mumbai. These roles encompass various customer-facing and operational functions, including that of a store manager responsible for overseeing sales operations, as well as specialists in delivery operations and customer support. The listings, which have been posted on Tesla's official website and professional networking platform LinkedIn, suggest the company's intent to inaugurate a showroom in Mumbai, India's financial epicentre.
Sources indicate that Tesla's initial strategy involves importing its electric vehicles into the Indian market, with plans to retail them through outlets in Mumbai and the national capital, New Delhi. This approach aligns with recent policy reforms by the Indian government aimed at fostering EV adoption and manufacturing within the country.
In a bid to attract global EV manufacturers, the government unveiled a policy offering reduced import duties on electric vehicles. Specifically, companies committing to an investment of at least $500 million (approximately ₹4,000 crore) in local manufacturing facilities within a three-year timeframe are eligible to import a limited number of EVs at a concessional tax rate of 15%. This initiative is designed to bolster the domestic EV ecosystem by promoting healthy competition and accelerating production volumes.
Tesla's renewed interest in the Indian market comes after previous attempts were hindered by high import tariffs and regulatory challenges. The recent dialogue between Musk and Prime Minister Modi appears to have revitalised Tesla's expansion plans, with the company now poised to make a substantial investment estimated between $2 billion and $3 billion (approximately ₹16,000 crore to ₹24,000 crore) in the Indian market.
This development is anticipated to invigorate India's EV landscape, providing consumers with access to Tesla's cutting-edge electric vehicles and contributing to the nation's sustainable mobility goals.
