Tesla shares its first official teaser on social media finally confirming the arrival of the electric vehicle giant in India with a Mumbai showroom to be inaugurated on July 15. The US-based EV maker is expected to start its India journey with imported Model Y SUVs priced at around Rs 50 lakh.
Media Reactions to Tesla’s Social Selloff Announcement
Elon Musk’s Tesla has finally confirmed its India arrival with a brief but impactful teaser on the official X (formally Twitter) Handle that is dedicated to India. The short “Coming Soon” post – complete with a graphic of Tesla coming to town in July 2025 – has excited Indian car fans.
The teaser comes after years of speculation about Tesla’s plans for India, with the company finally preparing to leave a mark in the world’s third-largest car market by physical proximity.
Coming soon pic.twitter.com/kquMXghCnK
— Tesla India (@Tesla_India) July 11, 2025
Mumbai Showroom to open at Prime BKC Outlet
US electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors’ first experience centre will debut at Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex on July 15th and it asserts its position firmly in India’s financial capital. The showroom situated in the Maker Maxity Mall is to be Tesla’s first retail outlet in India.
First, the showroom will open up to VIPs and business partners, then the general public a week later. The experience centre will enable visitors to look at what Tesla actually has on offer, compare different models, spec them up and view pricing, and possibly start a configuration to place an order.
Model Y Will Be The Launchpad In India
The Model Y SUV is the first Tesla car that will be launched in India and is currently the best-selling electric vehicle in the world. The company has already imported six Model Y units from its Shanghai factory to Mumbai, of which five are the standard versions that are priced at around Rs 27.7 lakh each, while one unit is of the long-range type priced at Rs 39.5 lakh.
But it being a fully built unit at the end of the day, thanks to India’s 70 percent import duty on such cars costing less than $40,000, the Model Y should cost around Rs 50 lakh ex-showroom. This higher pricing puts Tesla directly in the luxury EV market against offerings like the BMW iX1 and Kia EV6.
Model Y Specifications And Features
Tesla’s Model Y has landed with quite the splash, with specs and prices that really get people talking. The electric SUV is available in two main versions – a rear-wheel drive (RWD) model with a range of 593 km and a long-range all-wheel drive (AWD) version with a range of 750 km on a single charge.
Talking about performance, the RWD does 0-100 kmph in 5.9 seconds while the AWD takes only 4.3 seconds for the same. The Model Y has a length, width, and height of 4,797 mm, 1,982 mm, and 1,624 mm, while the ground clearance is 167 mm.
Inside, there’s a 15.4-inch center touchscreen infotainment system, an 8-inch rear screen for second-row passengers as well as the same minimalist cabin design Tesla’s become known for.
Read Also: Mercedes GLS AMG Line Arrives In India, Prices Start At Rs 1.4 Crore
Import Strategy Over Local Manufacturing
Unlike numerous global carmakers that are entering India, Tesla will start operations by importing cars, rather than through local manufacturing. Union Minister for Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy confirmed Tesla is not in talks with the ministry to set up a factory in the country. Tesla is choosing to open showrooms and import its vehicles instead of committing to local manufacturing.
The move is indicative of Tesla’s careful foray into India — where the company still faces substantial import duties. The firm has brought in around $1 million worth of vehicles, chargers, and accessories during this period.
Expansion Plans And Market Strategy
Tesla will open another showroom in New Delhi towards the end of July after the Mumbai launch, further establishing itself in India’s important metropolitan markets. The company has been hiring for a variety of roles such as store managers, sales executives as well as service associates and has also recently advertised hiring of supply chain engineers and vehicle operation posts.
Tesla is entering as the global EV market is struggling with the carmaker’s own sales in Europe and China down. India is a huge market for Tesla to develop especially as the country is adopting the electric vehicles.
Regulatory Approvals And Infrastructure
Tesla has obtained some key regulatory approvals for its Indian operations. The Maharashtra Regional Transport Office (RTO) has approved Tesla India Motors and Energy Pvt Ltd’s application for a trade certificate, allowing the company to legally operate demo cars, carry out test runs, and commence registration of vehicles.
The company has also leased a warehousing space of 24,565 sq ft in Lodha Logistics Park in Mumbai from where it will store its merchandise for a period of five years and set up their after-sales operations center about six kilometers from the showroom.
Pricing Strategy And Market Impact
The pricing of Tesla in India would be critical to its success. The company isn’t looking to target mass-market buyers; with the Model Y, which is expected to be priced at some Rs 50 lakh, the company is targeting wealthy customers and those who are early adopters, who will pay a bit of a premium for the cutting-edge technology that is electric vehicles.
The launch will further competition in the India premium EV space, taking the fight to existing players like Tata Motors and new entrants like BYD. If Tesla does enter, the overall adoption of EVs in the country (especially in the luxury market) may speed up.
Future Outlook
Tesla’s foray into India is more than a market entry—it is a statement of intent by a company aiming to expand globally despite troubles in other parts of the world. Whatever the case, the fate of the Mumbai showroom will likely decide Tesla’s future investments in India, which may even include a manufacturing plant.
We’ve selected the July 15th date because we anticipate first deliveries beginning in late August. This timeline immerses Tesla in the festive fever while opening its band of market in the country.