Mumbai: Electric vehicle giant Tesla officially marked its entry into the Indian market on Tuesday by launching its first experience centre at Maker Maxity in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who welcomed Tesla’s arrival and pitched the state as a potential base for the company’s future research, development, and manufacturing operations.
“We want Tesla to go beyond just retail and become a part of India’s manufacturing ecosystem. I hope the company considers Maharashtra as a key partner in this journey,” Fadnavis said.
He called the decision to open Tesla’s maiden centre in Mumbai a “statement of trust” in the state’s infrastructure and potential.
“Mumbai isn’t just the financial capital of India — it stands for innovation and sustainability,” he added.
Fadnavis shared a personal memory of riding a Tesla for the first time during a 2015 visit to the United States.
“I had hoped then that India would soon experience such mobility. Nearly a decade later, it’s heartening to see Tesla finally here,” he said, expressing optimism that India would become one of Tesla’s largest markets once deliveries begin.
Highlighting Maharashtra’s readiness to support the EV ecosystem, Fadnavis said the state offers a strong policy framework for electric mobility, including charging infrastructure and manufacturing incentives.
Industry insiders suggest Tesla has already imported its first batch of vehicles — reportedly Model Y rear-wheel drive SUVs — from its plant in China.
The company recently leased over 24,000 sq ft of warehousing space at Lodha Logistics Park in Mumbai, indicating plans for logistics and storage support ahead of retail operations.
While Tesla’s local manufacturing ambitions remain uncertain, the company recently secured a trade certificate from the Andheri RTO, which allows it to conduct test drives, showcase vehicles, and initiate pre-sales activity — a significant step towards commercial operations in India.
The Indian launch comes amid a global sales slowdown for Tesla, particularly in China and Europe.
Despite this, the firm remains keen to tap into India’s growing EV market.
However, talks of setting up a local manufacturing unit have faced policy hurdles.
While Tesla had earlier sought tariff relaxations for imported vehicles, the Indian government has taken a firm stand on maintaining uniform rules.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has reiterated that the country will not create policies tailored for individual companies but will continue to develop frameworks that encourage global EV players to invest in India.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized any move by Tesla to build a plant in India, calling it potentially unfair to American interests.
Despite the policy challenges, Tesla’s Indian subsidiary — Tesla India Motors and Energy Pvt Ltd — is making steady strides in setting up its presence, and the new Mumbai experience centre marks a significant milestone in that journey.
