Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday inaugurated Tesla’s first showroom in India—the Tesla Experience Centre—at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in the electric vehicle giant’s long-anticipated entry into the Indian market.
Welcoming Tesla to the state, Fadnavis declared, “Tesla has opened an experience centre here, and it is a statement that Tesla has arrived — and that it has arrived in the right city and the right state.”
He added that Maharashtra’s leadership in electric mobility makes it the ideal destination for Tesla’s operations and expressed optimism about the company’s future manufacturing plans in India.
“Tesla is establishing a logistics and servicing system here. Four major charging stations are also being developed. Maharashtra has the most dynamic electric mobility policy… I believe we will be the preferred destination when Tesla decides to manufacture in India,” he stated.
Praising Tesla’s global brand appeal, the CM noted: “Tesla is not just a car or a company—it’s about design, innovation, and sustainability. That’s why it’s loved across the globe.”
He assured Tesla of the state government’s full support, saying, “Mumbai and Maharashtra are going to treat Tesla well. Consider us your partners in this journey.”
Tesla’s India entry, focused initially on imported vehicle sales and service infrastructure, follows years of anticipation. Though CEO Elon Musk has expressed interest in investing in India, he previously flagged high import duties as a barrier.
India’s recently updated EV policy, offering lower import tariffs and additional incentives, appears to have cleared a path for Tesla’s debut. Earlier this year, Tesla also began hiring in India, signaling a serious push toward establishing a foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets.
The launch follows discussions between PM Narendra Modi and Elon Musk, including a telephonic conversation in April and a prior meeting during Modi’s U.S. visit in February.
With this showroom launch, Tesla is expected to test the Indian EV market while laying the groundwork for broader operations, potentially including local manufacturing in the future.
