Tesla to open first India experience centre in Mumbai on July 15
The EV giant is set to launch its first physical presence at Bandra Kurla Complex, importing cars and focusing on sales rather than local manufacturing
New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) Global EV giant Tesla is all set to officially enter India with the opening of its first experience centre at Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex next week.
The Elon Musk-led firm has sent out select invites presenting the inaugural event as the "launch of Tesla in India".
Tesla could not be reached for comments.
Last month, Tesla India took on lease 24,565 square feet warehousing space in Lodha Logistics Park in Mumbai for a period of five years.
In June, Union Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy stated that the electric carmaker is not interested in manufacturing cars in India but keen on establishing showrooms in the country.
US President Donald Trump has said that if Tesla were to build a factory in India to circumvent that country's tariffs, it would be "unfair" to the US.
Tesla CEO billionaire Elon Musk had said in April last year that his visit to India had been delayed due to the company's heavy obligations.
The electric car maker was seeking an initial tariff concession that would allow it to offset 70 per cent of customs duty for cars priced less than USD 40,000, and 100 per cent for cars of higher value.
However, earlier this year, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that India will not tailor its policies to suit Tesla, and its laws and tariff rules will be formulated to attract all-electric vehicle manufacturers from across the globe to set up a base in the world's fastest-growing economy.
The government recognises the need for a vibrant EV ecosystem as greater use of battery-run vehicles will cut carbon emissions as well as the staggering oil import bill, he stated.
But for this, it will not tailor policies that suit any one company and would rather frame ones that will encourage all-electric vehicle manufacturers from across the world to set up shop in India, the minister had noted. PTI