Tesla Enters the Indian Market with Model Y Electric Vehicle

The EV brand Tesla has finally entered the Indian automotive market as the first Tesla showroom opens at Jio World Drive, Mumbai. The 4,000 square feet retail space for the “Tesla Experience Centre” is located near Apple’s flagship store in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized the significance of one of the world’s largest electric vehicle makers entering the Indian market, saying Tesla may have taken a decade to arrive, but it would be warmly welcomed by the people of Mumbai and India. He expressed confidence that, once the deliveries begin, India could emerge as one of Tesla’s most promising markets, given the strong anticipation surrounding its entry.

Fadnavis added, “I think Tesla is going to change the entire market.”

Tesla Model Y - the First Tesla EV in India

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Tesla's upcoming showroom in Mumbai will serve as the company’s flagship display and customer experience centre in India. The facility will allow potential buyers to explore Tesla’s vehicles firsthand and gain insights into its technology. Tesla will enter the Indian market with its Model Y.

The rear-wheel drive version of the Model Y is priced at approximately INR 60 lakh (USD 69,765) for upfront buyers, while the long-range variant is set at around INR 68 lakh.

These price points are notably higher than Tesla’s base prices in other major markets. In comparison, the Model Y starts at USD 44,990 in the United States, 263,500 yuan in China, and 45,970 euros in Germany.

The elevated pricing in India is primarily attributed to high import duties, as the Model Y will be introduced as a completely built unit (CBU).

Initial Model Y units for India are expected to be shipped from Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai, which serves as a key export hub for international markets. Tesla has already imported six Model Y vehicles into India, likely for display and test drive purposes at the Mumbai showroom.

Along with the vehicles, Tesla reportedly also brought in Supercharger equipment and relevant accessories worth nearly USD 1 million into India. These items have been mostly sourced from China and the United States. The Superchargers are likely to be installed in and around Mumbai to support early adopters of the brand.

Fourth Commercial Property in India

With the opening of the new Tesla Experience Centre, the EV manufacturer now has four commercial properties in India, including an engineering hub in Pune, a registered office in Bengaluru, and a temporary office near BKC. 

The Mumbai showroom is expected to be the first of many locations Tesla plans to open across India, depending on how the brand performs in the Indian market. The company is also preparing a service centre in Kurla West, Mumbai, to handle maintenance and after-sales support for its vehicles.

Tesla's showroom opening will be followed by the commencement of vehicle deliveries, presumably by next month. Customers will be able to configure and order their Tesla EVs from next week onward.