Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, extended a gracious and competitive welcome to Elon Musk’s Tesla as it officially launched in India. The electric vehicle giant opened its first showroom—the Tesla Experience Centre—in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), introducing the Model Y in both rear-wheel-drive and long-range variants.
A Warm and Strategic Welcome
Mahindra took to social media to congratulate Elon Musk, saying:
“Welcome to India, Elon Musk and Tesla. One of the world’s largest EV opportunities just got more exciting. Competition drives innovation, and there’s plenty of road ahead. Looking forward to seeing you at the charging station.”
He also shared a screenshot of a playful exchange from May 2017, when he had invited Musk to enter India’s EV space with the words:
“Time you got out here Elon. You don’t want to leave the whole market to Mahindra do you? The more the merrier—and greener.”
Musk had replied at the time with: “Good point.”
Tesla’s Mumbai Debut: Models and Pricing
Tesla introduced two versions of the Model Y at its Mumbai Experience Centre:
- Rear-wheel drive variant priced around ₹60 lakh
- Long-range rear-wheel drive variant priced around ₹67–68 lakh
Deliveries are expected to begin later this year, with Tesla also planning 16 Supercharger stations across India. Additional showrooms are likely in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru.
Challenges Ahead: Duties, Local Production, and Regulations
India’s high import duties nearly double the cost of Tesla vehicles compared to other global markets. While Tesla is pushing for tariff relief for EVs under $40,000, the government has maintained a uniform tariff structure, aiming to support domestic manufacturing.
As of now, Tesla has no plans to manufacture locally in India. Initial vehicles will be imported from its Shanghai Gigafactory. A leased warehouse at Lodha Logistics Park in Mumbai will serve as a hub for servicing and parts storage.
On the technology front, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature will not be immediately available in India, pending regulatory approval and road condition adaptation tests.
Industry and Government Endorsements
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Tesla showroom and encouraged the company to consider local manufacturing. He praised Maharashtra’s strong EV policy and support ecosystem, which includes subsidies and a growing network of charging stations.
Despite Tesla’s lobbying for lower import duties, the central government has reiterated its commitment to equal treatment for all automakers under India’s EV policy.
What It Means for India’s EV Landscape
- Healthy Competition: Anand Mahindra’s welcome highlights the positive impact Tesla’s entry will have on accelerating innovation within India’s EV sector.
- Luxury EV Segment Boost: Tesla brings a premium global EV experience to Indian consumers, encouraging other automakers to elevate their offerings.
- Infrastructure Growth: Tesla’s Supercharger rollout will likely benefit other EV players by raising expectations and accelerating infrastructure development.
- Regulatory Readiness: Tesla’s compliance efforts may help establish clearer regulatory pathways for EV tech such as autonomous driving and advanced connectivity.
Final Word
Tesla’s entry into India, punctuated by Anand Mahindra’s public message and historical context, signals a major moment for the Indian EV ecosystem. Despite hurdles such as high duties and absence of local manufacturing, Tesla’s arrival is expected to raise the bar in terms of technology, customer experience, and EV infrastructure. As Mahindra aptly put it, “see you at the charging station” may soon become a familiar phrase on Indian roads.
Photo Credit: NDTV AUTO
