Mumbai: Elon Musk’s Tesla has officially entered the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market, launching its Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and opening its first showroom in the country at Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai.
The milestone marks the American EV giant’s formal foray into India after over a decade of anticipation. The 4,000-square-foot Tesla Experience Centre, located next to Apple’s flagship store at BKC, was inaugurated in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who called Tesla’s arrival transformational for the Indian automobile industry.
“I think Tesla is going to change the entire market,” said CM Fadnavis. He added that India could become one of Tesla’s strongest markets once deliveries begin.
With the opening of its Mumbai showroom, Tesla now has four commercial establishments in India, including a registered office in Bengaluru, an engineering hub in Pune, and a temporary office near BKC. Additionally, the company has leased 24,500 square feet in Kurla West to establish a service center adjacent to its Mumbai showroom.
LIVE | Inauguration of ‘Tesla Experience Center’
🕙 9.53am | 15-07-2025 📍BKC, Mumbai.@Tesla_India #Maharashtra #Mumbai #Tesla https://t.co/l5NnuT3cQt
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) July 15, 2025
The company will rely on imports for vehicle deliveries, which subjects it to a steep 70 percent import duty on fully built units. This import-based model could limit Tesla’s pricing competitiveness in a market susceptible to cost.
During the launch event, CM Fadnavis urged Tesla to evaluate Maharashtra’s supportive EV policies and consider establishing manufacturing and R&D units in the state.
“Maharashtra offers excellent infrastructure for EV growth, from incentives to a rapidly expanding charging network. While this showroom is a great beginning, we hope Tesla will eventually bring its innovation and manufacturing prowess to India,” Fadnavis stated.
According to earlier reports, Tesla is expected to begin customer deliveries in India as early as next month. Customers will be able to configure and place orders for their vehicles starting next week.
Tesla’s India entry comes at a time when the EV market is rapidly expanding, with both domestic and international players vying for market share.
