Tesla is set to officially enter the Indian market on July 15 by opening its first showroom, called an “experience center,” in Mumbai’s upscale Bandra Kurla Complex. Located at Jio World Drive, the 4,000-square-foot space is closer to US tech giant Apple’s flagship store in the city. It will showcase Tesla’s electric vehicles, starting with the Model Y, and marks a crucial step in the company’s long-standing efforts to tap into India’s rapidly growing EV market.
Although Tesla isn’t manufacturing in India yet, the showroom will play a significant role in introducing Indian consumers to Tesla’s premium electric vehicle lineup. This move comes as another Elon Musk-owned venture, Starlink, prepares to launch its satellite internet services in India.
Mumbai to host Tesla’s first India showroom
According to sources, the grand opening is scheduled for July 15 in Mumbai’s upscale Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
While there is no official confirmation yet regarding Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s presence at the event, top celebrities from Bollywood and the corporate world are expected to be part of the launch.
This experience center aims to offer Indian customers a closer look at Tesla’s cutting-edge technology and innovation. Following Mumbai, a similar center is planned for Delhi.
What to expect from the Mumbai showroom launch?
The media event on July 15 has been thoughtfully structured. It will kick off in the morning with a capacity of around 150 attendees, divided into three phases, each phase accommodating 50 journalists to ensure a smooth and immersive experience.
The first registration phase is scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM.
Earlier this year, Tesla initiated the hiring process in India, signaling its serious intent to enter the Indian market.
Will Elon Musk visit India?
Now, all eyes are on whether Elon Musk himself will mark the occasion with his presence and make this launch even more memorable.
Tesla’s first India showroom is set to open on July 15
Tesla now has four commercial properties in India, including an engineering hub in Pune, a registered office in Bengaluru, and a temporary office near BKC.
Tesla India Motor and Energy Private Ltd had leased a 24,500-square-foot space in Mumbai’s Kurla West to set up a service centre, located close to its upcoming showroom in BKC.
This move marks a significant step in Tesla’s plans to enter the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market, although the company does not currently intend to manufacture vehicles in the country.
According to real estate documents sourced by CRE Matrix, a property data analytics firm, Tesla signed a lease and license agreement with Bellissimo in City FC Mumbai I Private to rent the space in Lodha Logistics Park.
The agreement is for five years, with a starting monthly rent of Rs 37.53 lakh. Throughout the lease, Tesla will pay nearly Rs 25 crore in total, including a security deposit of Rs 2.25 crore, as per the documents.
Tesla has made it clear that its current interest lies only in selling its vehicles in India, not in manufacturing them at the moment.
“They are not interested in manufacturing in India,” Union Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said last month.
He added that Tesla is planning to open showrooms in India purely for sales.
The government has notified guidelines for its forward-looking EV scheme to enable fresh investments from global manufacturers in the electric cars segment and promote India as a global manufacturing hub for e-vehicles.
Inputs from the Agency
