Electric car behemoth Tesla is set to enter the Indian market with its completely-built Model Y, a step that falls in line with the nation’s new import duty regime. The luxury EV will be priced at ₹60-70 lakh, which will be a luxury product for Indian buyers.
Tesla has been scouting locations for showrooms in major metropolitan areas like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, with a view to making a solid retail presence before a launch. It is reported that Tesla is also looking at expanding charging infrastructure, a move crucial to its long-term success in India.
The move by the company to launch a completely built unit (CBU) variant of the Model Y is in the backdrop of ongoing talks with the Indian government regarding possible local manufacturing. Tesla has shown interest in establishing a domestic production facility, but currently, its initial sales plan is centered on imported luxury EVs.
Although the premium pricing might cap its initial penetration, Tesla’s arrival is a largescale move in India’s EV ecosystem that can spur accelerated uptake of premium electric vehicles. If it sells well, a simplified, locally assembled version might soon be on the cards, bringing Tesla’s advanced dream within the reach of Indian consumers.
