Tesla to Open First India Store in Mumbai on July 15

Photo: Reuters

Elon Musk’s famous electric car company, Tesla, is finally opening its first store in India. This store will be in Mumbai and will open on 15th July. According to a Reuters report, this store will not just be a normal showroom. It will be called an ‘experience centre’ where people can see, touch, and feel Tesla cars and learn more about them.

Tesla Started Hiring in India

In the past few months, Tesla started hiring many people in India. The company was looking for good locations to open its showrooms in Delhi and Mumbai. Many experts believe that Tesla entering the Indian market will change the car industry here.

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Tesla Cars Have Arrived in India

Tesla’s first set of cars has already arrived in India. These cars are Model Y rear-wheel drive SUVs. They were shipped from Tesla’s factory in China. These cars will be sold to customers soon after the official launch of the store.

What Else Did Tesla Import?

Tesla did not just bring cars to India. The company also imported:

• Supercharger components – These are used to charge Tesla cars quickly.

• Car accessories – Like floor mats, seat covers, and other items to make cars look stylish.

• Merchandise – T-shirts, jackets, mugs, and other Tesla branded products.

• Spare parts – Parts needed to repair or replace any damaged parts in Tesla cars.

All these items were imported from the US, China, and the Netherlands. This shows that Tesla is preparing everything before selling cars to Indian customers.

Plans for New Delhi Showroom

After Mumbai, Tesla also plans to open a new showroom in New Delhi. This will help customers in the north of India to visit Tesla stores easily. Many people in Delhi are excited to see Tesla cars on their roads soon.

Five Model Y Cars Already in Mumbai

Five Tesla Model Y cars have already reached Mumbai. They came from Tesla’s factory in Shanghai, China. Bloomberg reviewed some documents that show how much these cars cost. Each car was declared at a value of 2.77 million rupees ($31,988). However, India has very high import duties on foreign cars. So, each Tesla car attracted more than 2.1 million rupees in import duties.

Why Are Import Duties So High?

India has a 70 per cent tax on fully built imported cars that cost under $40,000. There are some extra surcharges too. This means if a car costs $32,000 in another country, it becomes much more expensive when it reaches India because of the taxes. The government does this to encourage people to buy cars made in India.

How Much Will Tesla Model Y Cost in India?

The final price of Tesla Model Y in India is expected to be more than $56,000 before taxes and insurance. However, the exact price will be decided by Tesla depending on how much profit they want to keep and how they want to position their brand in India.

For comparison, the same Tesla Model Y costs around $44,990 in the US. After some tax credits in the US, people can buy it for $37,490. This shows that Tesla cars will be much more expensive in India than in America.

Why Are Tesla Cars So Expensive in India?

The main reason is the import tax. Since these cars are coming from another country, the Indian government adds tax on them. This makes the price go up a lot. People in India may find it difficult to buy Tesla cars because they are too expensive for most families.

Will Tesla Succeed in India?

Experts say Tesla will face some challenges in India. Even though electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming popular, they still make up only 5 per cent of all new passenger car sales in India. Also, premium cars like Tesla represent less than 2 per cent of the total market. This means only a small number of people buy such costly cars.

What Are the Benefits of Tesla Cars?

Tesla cars are famous because:

• They run on electricity, so they do not pollute the air.

• They are silent and smooth to drive.

• They have advanced features like self-driving modes (though full self-driving is not legal in India yet).

• They look modern and stylish.

• They save money on fuel over time.

What Are the Challenges for Tesla in India?

1. High Price – Tesla cars are costly for most Indians.

2. Charging Stations – There are not enough charging stations in many Indian cities.

3. Road Conditions – Indian roads are not always suitable for low-ground clearance cars.

4. Taxes and Import Duties – These increase the final cost of the car.

Tesla’s Strategy for India

To overcome these challenges, Tesla is:

• Opening experience centres to teach people about electric cars.

• Planning to install Superchargers to make charging easier.

• Hiring local staff who understand the Indian market.

• Looking for more showroom locations in big cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

Why Is This News Important?

This news is important because Tesla coming to India shows that the future of cars is electric. Many Indian companies will also start making better electric cars to compete with Tesla. This is good for the environment because electric cars do not cause pollution like petrol and diesel cars.

What Next for Tesla in India?

After the Mumbai store opens, Tesla will:

• Start selling Model Y cars to customers.

• Possibly launch more models like Model 3 in the coming years.

• Open more stores and service centres in other cities.

• Help India in its mission to increase electric vehicle usage.

Elon Musk’s Tesla is ready to enter the Indian market with its first experience centre in Mumbai on 15 July. While their cars are costly, they bring a new future for the automobile sector in India. People are waiting to see how Tesla changes the way Indians drive and how it affects other car makers to become more eco-friendly in the coming years.