Tesla to launch first showroom in India, deliveries expected in August

Tesla Inc. is set to open its first showroom in India on July 15, marking a significant milestone in the electric vehicle (EV) giant’s global expansion strategy. The showroom, located in Mumbai, will begin accepting orders next week, with customer deliveries expected as early as late August, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The launch signals Tesla’s formal entry into the world’s third-largest automobile market, as the company seeks to offset declining global sales by tapping into India’s growing appetite for electric mobility. The showroom will give potential buyers access to pricing details, model variants, and trim configurations, according to people familiar with the company’s plans and documents reviewed by Bloomberg News.

Tesla’s first shipment of vehicles — Model Y rear-wheel drive SUVs produced at the company’s Shanghai Gigafactory — arrived in India ahead of the showroom’s opening. The Model Y, currently the world’s top-selling electric vehicle, is expected to test Indian consumer interest despite high import duties.

A second showroom is planned for New Delhi later this month, sources said, as Tesla accelerates its rollout in India.

The timing of the move is critical. The company recently reported a dip in global sales during the second quarter, countering CEO Elon Musk’s earlier claims of recovery following controversies tied to his political affiliations. The India entry could provide a much-needed boost to Tesla’s international performance.

Documents reviewed by Bloomberg News indicate that five Model Y units were declared at a value of approximately ₹2.77 million (roughly $32,270) each. However, after factoring in India’s steep 70% import tariff on EVs priced below $40,000 and other surcharges, the final consumer price is expected to significantly exceed the U.S. retail price of $46,630.

Initially, access to the Mumbai showroom will be limited to VIPs and business partners. It will open to the general public the following week, the sources said.

Tesla has not officially commented on the rollout plans. However, during a previous earnings call, Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja cited India’s high import taxes as a key factor influencing the timing of the company’s entry into the market.

By Vugar Khalilov