Islamabad, July 15, 2025: Tesla has officially made its India debut with the launch of its first showroom in Mumbai, nearly a decade after Elon Musk first hinted at entering the Indian market in 2016. Located in Maker Maxity Mall at the upscale Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the 4,000-square-foot “Experience Centre” signals Tesla’s cautious but strategic entry into one of the world’s largest car markets.
At the Tesla showroom Mumbai, customers can now view and book two variants of the Model Y—Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and Long-Range RWD, both imported from Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory. The RWD model is priced at ₹59.89 lakh (approx. $68,000), while the long-range version is available for ₹67.89 lakh (around $79,000). An optional Full Self-Driving package is offered at ₹6 lakh (roughly $7,000).
Booking for Tesla Model Y in India has officially begun for residents of Delhi, Gurugram, and Mumbai, with a non-refundable deposit of ₹22,220. Deliveries for the RWD model are set to start in Q3 2025, while the long-range model will arrive by the final quarter of the year.
To support EV infrastructure, Tesla will install eight charging stations—four each in Mumbai and Delhi—including Superchargers and destination chargers. A second showroom is planned to open in Delhi by the end of this month, as Tesla accelerates its brand presence in India.
This move follows India’s recent policy change reducing EV import duties, addressing Tesla’s long-standing concerns over the country’s 100% tariff barrier. Despite this, Tesla has not confirmed plans to set up manufacturing in India. Government sources, including Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy, noted that Tesla is “not interested in starting to manufacture in India” at this time.
Internally, Tesla India is now led by CFO Vaibhav Taneja, after Prashanth Menon’s exit. Hiring efforts are underway in New Delhi, Pune, and Mumbai, focusing on policy, sales, and HR operations.
Tesla’s launch in India comes amid global headwinds. In Q2 2025, Tesla reported a 13% drop in global deliveries, citing weakened demand in the U.S. and Europe. The brand also faces increasing pressure from Chinese rival BYD, which is aggressively expanding its market share globally.
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In India, EVs make up only a small portion of the 6-million-unit annual auto market. Yet, the government is pushing to raise EV adoption to 30% by 2030, offering a long-term opportunity for Tesla despite current market challenges.
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Back in 2016, Tesla had opened bookings for the Model 3 in India and promised a Supercharger network, collecting $1,000 deposits which were later refunded. The current launch marks a significant reset for Tesla India’s vision—one that’s more aligned with gradual growth and policy shifts.
