Tesla’s India Debut Takes Shape with Mumbai Showroom
The buzz around Tesla’s arrival in India is hitting fever pitch, and the wait is nearly over. Days after hints of an imminent launch, fresh reports confirm that Elon Musk’s electric vehicle powerhouse is planting its flag in Mumbai’s upscale Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) with its first Indian showroom. The deal, locked in for a five-year lease, marks a bold step into the buzzing Indian market, where excitement for Tesla’s battery-powered rides is electric.
According to The Times of India, Tesla’s BKC hub will span 4,000 square feet on the ground floor of a commercial tower. The rent? A hefty Rs 900 per square foot—totaling Rs 35 lakh per month—making it one of India’s priciest commercial spaces. Hot on Mumbai’s heels, Tesla is gearing up to open a second showroom in Delhi’s swanky Aerocity, signaling a two-city rollout to kick off its Indian journey.
The timing couldn’t be more telling. Less than a month ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Musk during a U.S. visit, sparking rapid progress. Since then, Tesla has finalized these showroom deals and posted 13 job openings in India. “We dove into topics Musk loves—space, mobility, tech, and innovation,” Modi said post-meeting. “I highlighted India’s push for reform and our ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ vision.”
Tesla’s game plan includes importing cars from its Berlin plant, aiming to price its entry-level EV below $25,000 (Rs 21.75 lakh), per a CNBC-TV18 report. With India slashing import duties to under 20 percent, speculation is swirling about final costs. A CLSA report pegs Tesla’s cheapest offering at Rs 35-40 lakh in India, factoring in duties, road tax, and insurance. For context, the Model 3—the most affordable Tesla in the U.S.—starts at $35,000 (Rs 30.4 lakh) at the factory, ballooning to Rs 33-37 lakh on Indian roads.
As Tesla revs up for its big reveal, the Indian market is abuzz with anticipation. Mumbai’s BKC showroom is just the start—watch this space for more.