Synopsis
Tesla is set to enter the Indian market later this year, planning to introduce its higher-end Model Y first as part of a top-down strategy. The company is currently scouting for showroom locations in Mumbai and Delhi.Key Takeaways
- Tesla is entering India with a top-down strategy.
- Model Y will be imported from Berlin.
- Price expected between Rs 60-70 lakh.
- Seeking locations for showrooms in Mumbai and Delhi.
- Job openings for 13 positions primarily in these cities.
New Delhi, Feb 19 (NationPress) With Tesla finally preparing to make its debut in India later this year, the electric vehicle (EV) giant led by Elon Musk is adopting a top-down strategy by initially introducing its higher-end models, followed by more affordable options.
The company is expected to import its fully-assembled Model Y from its Berlin Gigafactory, where this electric SUV is produced in a right-hand drive variant.
The anticipated price for the Tesla Model Y is between Rs 60-70 lakh, reflecting the new import duty regime established by the government.
Recently, the basic customs duty on luxury vehicles exceeding $40,000 has been decreased from 110 percent to 70 percent.
While the right-hand-drive Model 3 is also produced in Shanghai, it is unlikely to be the first model to arrive due to restrictions on imports from China.
Industry insiders have indicated that there are currently no plans for local assembly of Tesla vehicles, although this could change in the near future.
Tesla, which operates an office in Pune, is actively looking for locations in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai and Aerocity in Delhi to establish its inaugural showrooms in India.
The company has posted job openings for at least 13 new positions, primarily focused on the Mumbai and Delhi markets. These roles include business operation analyst, service technician, as well as various advisory positions such as customer engagement manager and order operations specialist, according to their advertisements on LinkedIn.
This latest progress follows the successful visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States, where he engaged in discussions with Musk concerning various topics including space, mobility, technology, and innovation.
Additionally, Musk has considered the possibility of developing a more budget-friendly Tesla model tailored for the Indian market, although concrete steps have yet to be taken in this direction.
