Tesla Inc., a global leader in electric vehicles and renewable energy, has taken a significant step towards establishing a presence in India. The company has started hiring for various roles, marking a major development in its India plans. Job postings recently uploaded to Tesla’s LinkedIn page indicate that the company is looking to fill 13 positions, covering both customer-facing and back-end roles.
Tesla’s Hiring Initiated Post Elon Musk and PM Modi Meeting
The hiring move comes shortly after a meeting between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and PM Modi Meeting during Modi’s visit to the United States. Among the available positions are Service Technicians, Service Managers, Inside Sales Advisors, Customer Support Supervisors, Customer Support Specialists, Order Operations Specialists, Service Advisors, Tesla Advisors, Parts Advisors, Delivery Operations Specialists, Business Operations Analysts, and Store Managers.
Tesla’s India Expansion Plans
According to sources from the Finance Ministry, Tesla plans to open three manufacturing plants in India. One will be located in Gujarat, another in Andhra Pradesh, while the third location is yet to be finalized. The company began scouting locations last year, but the process gained momentum after Musk’s recent discussions with Modi.
Tesla is also considering setting up at least two showrooms to introduce its brand to the Indian market. Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad are the cities evaluated as potential showroom locations.
Tesla’s Engagement with India
Tesla’s relationship with India has been complex, primarily due to concerns over high import duties. The company had previously been hesitant to enter the Indian market because of the steep taxes on imported electric vehicles. However, India recently reduced the basic customs duty on high-end cars priced above $40,000 from 110% to 70%, making the market more accessible for premium EV manufacturers.
India is the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, but its growing middle class and increasing interest in sustainable transportation present a strong opportunity for Tesla. The Indian government is actively working toward its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, aligning with Tesla’s mission of promoting clean energy solutions.
Tesla’s Past Efforts to Enter the Indian Market
In 2022, Elon Musk and PM Modi Meeting planned in India, fueling speculation about Tesla’s investment plans, including the possibility of setting up a manufacturing facility. However, Musk postponed the trip due to pressing company matters, including layoffs and vehicle recalls in the United States.
Tesla has long pushed for lower import duties on EVs as a prerequisite for making large-scale investments in India. In response, the Indian government introduced a policy in March that offers reduced import duties to EV manufacturers willing to establish local factories with a minimum investment of 41.5 billion rupees (approximately $500 million).
Future Prospects
With Tesla actively hiring in India and making progress toward setting up manufacturing plants and showrooms, the company’s entry into the Indian market appears imminent. The combination of favorable policy changes, growing consumer interest in electric vehicles, and Tesla’s strategic expansion plans could make India a key market for the brand in the coming years.
