Tesla has officially entered the Indian market, opening its first showroom in Mumbai on Tuesday and introducing its Model Y electric SUV. Priced starting at ₹60 lakh, the Model Y becomes the first Tesla vehicle to be made available in the country.
The showroom, situated at Maker Maxity Mall in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and senior officials from the transport department.
In addition to the showroom, Tesla will also operate a service centre and warehouse at Lodha Logistics Park in Sakinaka, as part of its support infrastructure for Indian customers.
Speaking at the launch, Fadnavis said the showroom’s opening was more than just the inauguration of an experience centre. “It is a statement that Tesla has arrived in the right city – one that is not just the financial and entertainment capital, but also the entrepreneurial capital of the country,” he said.
Tesla has also secured a trade certificate from the Andheri Regional Transport Office (RTO), permitting the use of unregistered vehicles for specific purposes such as test drives, exhibitions, deliveries, and workshop use. RTO officials confirmed that the five-year certificate was issued last week, allowing Tesla India Motors and Energy Private Limited to begin vehicle demonstrations and customer engagement activities ahead of official deliveries.
Tesla is also gearing up to open its second showroom in India, with plans underway for a new outlet in Delhi. Sources have confirmed that a 4,000 sq ft space has been finalised in Aerocity, near Indira Gandhi International Airport, with an estimated monthly rent of ₹25 lakh.
The Model Y, Tesla’s first offering in the Indian market, is a mass-market electric SUV and is expected to be available in both rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive variants. Initially, the vehicles will be imported and sold through Tesla’s experience centres.
Fadnavis remembered his initial impression of the brand during an official tour of the United States. “It was in 2015 when I travelled to the US, that I rode a Tesla for the first time and understood that India requires vehicles like these. It took 10 years for them to arrive here,” he said, and explained that the policies made by Maharashtra in favour of electric vehicles and innovation will assist Tesla in expanding its business in the Indian market.
Tesla has entered the Indian market at a time when the electric vehicle sector is gaining momentum, with several states rolling out incentive-driven EV policies. In this initial phase, the company is expected to focus on assessing market demand, understanding consumer preferences, and streamlining its operations before making decisions on further expansion or local manufacturing.