Amidst Differences With Donald Trump, Elon Musk Brings Tesla To India, First Showroom Opens in Mumbai; How Much Will It Cost ?

Tesla has officially entered the Indian market, and it’s starting big, but not with a factory. The electric vehicle brand by Elon Musk opened its first showroom in Mumbai’s upscale Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), quietly marking the brand’s long-awaited debut in one of the world’s fastest-growing automobile markets.

After years of negotiations with Indian authorities over import duties and local production rules, has decided to take a different route. Instead of manufacturing locally right away, it is testing the waters with a retail-first approach. This strategy helps Tesla gauge interest without committing to production yet.

Tesla's first India showroom in BKC, Mumbai.#WYSD pic.twitter.com/y7BgcnTfV7

— @ShieldOfIndia (@KalifaArmy) July 15, 2025

Model Y On Display, Bookings Begin

According to reports, the Mumbai showroom currently features Tesla’s most popular model worldwide - the Model Y. This unit is imported fully built from Tesla’s Shanghai facility. At launch, a limited number of vehicles have been brought in for display and test drives. Bookings has now started.

This initial move is being seen as a soft entry into the Indian market. While India’s EV policies encourage local manufacturing, it appears to be playing the long game, understanding the demand first and possibly setting up production later.

Tesla Prices In India: Premium Price, Premium Brand

As reported by NDTV, the Model Y comes in two variants for Indian buyers:

Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) – Priced at around aroiund Rs 59-60 lakh (approx. $70,000)

Long-Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD) – Priced at about Rs 68 lakh (ex-showroom)

When you include road tax and other charges, the RWD model could cost around Rs 61.1 lakh on-road in cities like Mumbai and Delhi.

This pricing puts Tesla in direct competition with high-end brands like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz in India. However, it is staying firm on its global premium brand positioning, even as steep import duties cut into its margins.

Why Now And Why India?

Tesla’s India entry comes at an interesting time, especially as Elon Musk publicly distances himself from Donald Trump’s current campaign. Some analysts suggest that Musk’s India push reflects his global ambitions amid uncertain political shifts in the US.

India’s push toward clean mobility is another reason. The government has been encouraging electric vehicle adoption and foreign investment. While it hasn’t committed to a factory yet, it’s a possibility if demand takes off.

What Comes Next For Tesla Cars?

With its first showroom launched and attention slowly building, Tesla now waits to see how Indian buyers respond. The market remains highly price-sensitive, but the brand’s global cachet and sustainability appeal could make it attractive to upper-tier consumers.

The bigger question is whether Musk will expand beyond Mumbai and commit to “Make in India” plans. For now, the world is watching, and India is test-driving.