Follow Us:

Advertisement

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis Visits Tesla’s First India Showroom Ahead of Grand Launch in Mumbai

Tesla had teased the launch last week via its India-focused X (formerly Twitter) handle with a “Coming soon” post, confirming that the company’s India presence would begin in July 2025.

TIS Desk | Mumbai |

Advertisement

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik arrived at the Tesla showroom in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on Tuesday morning, ahead of its much-anticipated inauguration — marking the electric vehicle (EV) giant’s official entry into the Indian market.

Located at Maker Maxity Mall, the Mumbai showroom is Tesla’s first in India and is seen as a key step toward testing market interest and laying the foundation for future operations in one of the world’s fastest-growing auto sectors.

Tesla had teased the launch last week via its India-focused X (formerly Twitter) handle with a “Coming soon” post, confirming that the company’s India presence would begin in July 2025.

While speculation had long surrounded Tesla’s manufacturing ambitions in India, Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy recently clarified that Tesla is not currently pursuing local manufacturing but is instead focused on vehicle imports and retail sales through showrooms.

Earlier reports also hinted that Tesla’s strategy in India would initially revolve around importing its premium electric vehicles, such as the Model 3 and Model Y, bypassing local production for now. Despite this, Tesla has remained tight-lipped on its detailed operational blueprint for the country.

The company began hiring for roles in India earlier this year, signaling preparations for local operations were underway. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously expressed interest in investing in India but has flagged high import duties as a major obstacle. However, India’s recently revised EV policy, which includes reduced import tariffs and new incentives, may help smooth the path forward.

In a show of growing engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone call with Musk in April, following up on their in-person meeting in February in the U.S., where discussions on tech collaboration and innovation were key topics.

With the BKC showroom launch, Tesla will be closely watching consumer response as it positions itself to tap into India’s premium EV market — a segment poised for significant growth in the coming years.

Advertisement

Advertisement