Summary
- Tesla is planning to open its initial stores in India in New Delhi and Mumbai
- Job listings have gone live following a meeting between Elon Musk and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- The stores in New Delhi and Mumbai will be around 465 square meters each, with no service centers included
- Tesla has been in talks with Indian officials since 2019 about launching its auto business and potentially opening a manufacturing facility
- High import tariffs have been a significant hurdle for Tesla’s entry into the Indian market
Article
Following a meeting between CEO Elon Musk and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tesla is reportedly planning to open its first stores in India in New Delhi and Mumbai. The company has already selected locations for the stores in the Aerocity area near the New Delhi International Airport and the Bandra Kurla Complex shopping area in Mumbai. The stores are expected to be around 465 square meters and will not include service centers.
In previous years, Tesla had faced challenges entering the Indian market due to high import tariffs of up to 100 percent. However, the recent job listings in India, primarily in Mumbai, suggest that the company is moving forward with its plans. Tesla had also been considering launching a manufacturing facility in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, or Gujarat, though it’s unclear if those plans are still on the table. Discussions between Musk and Modi about launching Tesla’s auto business in India have been ongoing since 2019.
The news of Tesla’s plans to open stores in India comes as a surprise to many, especially given the company’s recent focus on expanding its presence in other countries like China. Some have questioned whether Tesla’s decision to focus on India now reflects “shoddy ethics or simply business.” Despite the skepticism, Tesla seems to be moving forward with its plans in India, with job listings and store locations being confirmed.
The selected locations for Tesla’s first stores in India, in New Delhi and Mumbai, are strategic choices given their proximity to airports, hotels, corporate offices, and retail outlets. The Aerocity area in New Delhi and the Bandra Kurla Complex shopping area in Mumbai are both popular and bustling areas, making them ideal locations for Tesla to establish its presence in these metro centers. The stores are expected to be spacious, at around 465 square meters, providing ample space for showcasing Tesla’s electric vehicles.
While the exact timeline for the opening of Tesla’s stores in India is still unclear, the recent developments suggest that the company is making progress in entering the country’s auto market. With job listings going live and store locations being selected, it appears that Tesla is serious about expanding its presence in India. Despite previous hurdles, including high import tariffs, the company seems determined to overcome these challenges and establish itself as a prominent player in the Indian EV market. It will be interesting to see how Tesla’s entry into India unfolds in the coming months and what impact it will have on the country’s auto industry.
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