Inside Tesla’s First-Ever Mumbai Showroom—Opening This July

Tesla, the global electric vehicle giant led by Elon Musk, is all set to open its very first showroom in India. The new store will be located in Mumbai’s upscale Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and is scheduled to launch on July 15, according to a report from Reuters. This move marks Tesla’s official entry into the Indian market after years of talks and delays.

First Tesla Experience Centre in India

This Mumbai facility won’t just be a regular car showroom. It’s designed as an “experience centre,” where customers can explore Tesla’s EV technology, design, and performance. Back in March, Tesla signed a lease for this space, signaling its readiness to begin Indian operations. The company has also started hiring staff and looking for more showroom locations in Mumbai and Delhi.

Model Y Units Already Shipped

Tesla has already imported five Model Y SUVs from its Shanghai factory to Mumbai. According to Bloomberg, each vehicle is valued at around ₹27.7 lakh (approx. $31,988), but the final cost is much higher due to India’s high import taxes—over ₹21 lakh per unit. This 70 per cent duty is part of India's existing policy for fully built imported cars.

No Plans for Local Manufacturing Yet

Despite the buzz, Tesla is not planning to manufacture its vehicles in India at this point. Union Minister for Heavy Industries, HD Kumaraswamy, mentioned last month that Tesla’s current focus is only on showrooms and not production.

Govt Stands Firm on EV Policies

Tesla’s entry follows a long back-and-forth with the Indian government about reducing import duties. Elon Musk had previously delayed his India visit due to the company’s busy global commitments. Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently stated that India won’t change its rules for one company. He emphasized that the goal is to build a strong EV ecosystem for all manufacturers—not just Tesla.

As Tesla faces slowing sales in other markets like China and Europe, entering India gives the company a fresh opportunity in a growing electric vehicle space.