It looks like Tesla has finally decided to take India seriously. After a long back-and-forth with the Indian government, the American carmaker has now posted job openings for what seems to be a full-fledged, company-run dealership in Mumbai.
Now, before we all get too excited and start imagining 1,020 bhp Model S Plaids zooming through Delhi traffic like rickshaws, let’s take a step back. Tesla is taking a different approach in India by running its own dealership instead of partnering with local dealers. This means they want full control over sales, service, and spare parts – which is great until they realize how tricky Indian bureaucracy can be.
Tesla has been showing interest in India for some time for those keeping track. They already have a Research and Development centre in Bangalore, and last year, they leased an office in Pune – perhaps to discuss range anxiety over a cup of chai. However, the big question remains: When will we see Tesla cars being built in India?
The latest update is that Tesla has been encouraged to move forward after a meeting between Elon Musk and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, during his visit to the United States. The result? Tesla has agreed to invest $500 million (around INR 4347 crore) and set up a factory within three years. In exchange, they got tax breaks for initially importing cars. It's not a completely free deal, but enough to get things moving.
Right now, Tesla’s global lineup includes the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and the Cybertruck – which would look a bit odd next to an Ambassador taxi. Which ones will hit Indian roads first? That’s still a mystery. Since India loves SUVs, the Model Y seems like a good choice, but imagine a Cybertruck with its 1,020 Nm torque trying to handle Bangalore’s potholes!
Overall, this is the clearest sign yet that Tesla is serious about India. They’re hiring, making plans, and raising expectations. We just need an official announcement – and hopefully, a Tesla service centre that doesn’t take months to fix a touchscreen problem.
