Tesla Launches Recruitment of Autonomous Vehicle Drivers in India
Tesla Makes a Stealthy Debut in India's Luxury EV Market
Tesla, the world's leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is making its official entry into the Indian market, starting with a premium focus rather than immediate local manufacturing. The American automaker has opened showrooms in Mumbai and Delhi, marking a significant step in Tesla's expansion plans.
The camouflaged Tesla Model Y, a popular SUV, has reportedly been spotted undergoing road testing in India, potentially hinting at it as the launch vehicle. Tesla has selected its first showroom locations in India, with two sites in New Delhi and Mumbai. These showrooms, which opened in July and August 2025 respectively, are strategically placed to target affluent metropolitan customers.
Regarding local manufacturing, Tesla seems cautious about immediately building a Gigafactory in India. The financial and regulatory environment, particularly the high import duties, remains a major hurdle. However, Tesla is reportedly in discussions with the Indian government to reduce import duties, which could pave the way for a viable business case during the initial import-only phase.
In terms of data collection and roles in India, Tesla has begun hiring staff in major cities, likely for both retail operations and technical or service roles. The focus seems to be on building sales, service, and charging infrastructure, as well as market evaluation, before expanding operations.
Tesla's negotiations with the Indian government have centred around reducing import duties and offering supportive regulatory measures to enable the company's market entry. The company is also exploring collaborations with Indian energy companies such as Adani or Tata to scale Supercharger networks.
Superchargers, Tesla's high-speed charging stations, are operational near Delhi and Mumbai, providing a crucial infrastructure for electric vehicles. Tesla is expected to take advantage of this framework to establish a domestic production facility, but no official confirmation has been made.
In summary, Tesla's current India strategy involves a phased market entry. The company is initially focusing on selling imported cars and establishing a limited footprint through showrooms and charging infrastructure, while continuing negotiations and market evaluation before deciding on local manufacturing. The Model Y, imported from China, is the only model available at the moment. Deliveries are planned for Q3/Q4 2025.
[1] Tesla India: All you need to know about the electric car maker's India plans
[2] Tesla to set up its first showroom in India in Mumbai
[3] Tesla to start operations in India with luxury electric car Model Y
[4] Tesla Model Y Spotted in India: Could be the Launch Vehicle
[5] Tesla's India plans: Electric carmaker to start operations with Model Y, to set up showrooms in Mumbai, Delhi
[1] Tesla's strategic move in India includes a focus on the luxury electric vehicle market and initial imports of their popular Model Y, while negotiating with the government for reduced import duties and local manufacturing possibilities in the future.
[2] Amidst plans of local manufacturing, Tesla is expanding its reach in India's finance and technology sectors by setting up showrooms in key cities like Mumbai and Delhi for their automotive division.
