Tesla Finally Enters India After Nine-Year Wait

Tesla has launched its first showroom in India, nearly nine years after Elon Musk teased the company’s entry.

The “Experience Center” is located in Mumbai’s Maker Maxity Mall, within Bandra Kurla Complex. This 4,000-square-foot space showcases the Model Y, which is now open for bookings.

Model Y Bookings Begin with Delivery Timeline

Indian customers can now reserve the Model Y RWD at ₹59,89,000 and the Long Range RWD at ₹67,89,000.

• Bookings are open for Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurugram.
• Customers need to pay a non-refundable deposit of ₹22,220.
• RWD variant deliveries will begin in Q3 2025.
• Long-range variant is expected to be delivered by Q4 2025.

A full self-driving (FSD) add-on is also available for ₹600,000.

Tesla Plans Charging Network and Delhi Store Next

Before deliveries begin, the company will establish four charging stations each in Mumbai and Delhi. These will include both Superchargers and destination chargers.

The company also plans to open its second Experience Center in Delhi by the end of this month.

Cars Sourced from China, Berlin to Follow

The Model Y units are currently being imported from Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory.

Once the India-EU Free Trade Agreement is signed, Tesla plans to import cars from Berlin as well.

India Cuts Import Duties, Tesla Makes Its Move

India recently reduced import duties on EVs, addressing Tesla’s earlier concerns about the country’s 100% import tariff.

This move has encouraged the company to finally commit, although manufacturing in India is not yet on the table.

Tesla Faces Global Pressure, Turns to India

Tesla’s entry comes at a time when it faces declining sales in the U.S., China, and Europe.

• Q2 global deliveries dropped 13%.
• U.S. sales dipped 13% in the first half of 2025.
• Europe sales have fallen for five consecutive months.

With India emerging as the fourth-largest automotive market, Tesla is now betting on fresh opportunities.

What This Means for Indian Automakers

Tesla’s arrival could reshape the Indian electric vehicle segment, currently led by local giants like:

• Tata Motors, with the Harrier.ev and its other EV variants.
• MG and Hyundai, already selling premium EVs
• Kia and Maruti, preparing for future EV launches

Tesla’s premium pricing may not disrupt mass-market EVs immediately, but it raises the bar for tech, range, and charging infrastructure.

Leadership and Hiring in Progress

Tesla has hired multiple executives across Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi. However, no dedicated India head has been named.

India-born Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja is currently leading operations. Former India head Prashanth Menon stepped down in May.