Tesla Set for Grand India Debut: Mumbai Showroom to Open July 15, Deliveries Expected by August End

The long-awaited entry of Tesla into the Indian market is finally here, with the electric vehicle giant set to open its first showroom at Jio World Drive in Mumbai on July 15. This marks a significant milestone for Elon Musk's company as it ventures into the world's third-largest auto market amidst declining global sales.

The Mumbai showroom will serve as an "experience center," allowing prospective customers to explore model prices, variant options, and utilize configuration tools. Bookings for Tesla vehicles are anticipated to commence next week, with deliveries potentially starting as early as late August.

Model Y to Lead the Charge, Pricing to be a Key Factor

Bloomberg reports that the initial offerings for the Indian market will be the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) units, imported from Tesla's factory in China. The Model Y holds the distinction of being the world's best-selling electric car.

While the declared value of the Model Y units imported is around ₹27.7 lakh (approximately $32,000 USD), the final price for Indian consumers is expected to be significantly higher due to India's 70 percent import duty on fully built electric vehicles priced below $40,000 USD. After accounting for this duty and other taxes, the ex-showroom price of the Model Y in India could be upwards of ₹47 lakh to ₹50 lakh.

Expansion Plans and Model Y Specifications for India

Tesla's second Indian showroom is planned to open in New Delhi by the end of July. For its inaugural week, the Mumbai outlet will cater to VIPs and commercial partners before opening its doors to the general public the following week.

The Tesla Model Y boasts practical dimensions, measuring approximately 4,797 mm in length, 1,982 mm in width (with side mirrors folded), and 1,624 mm in height. Its ground clearance of 167 mm is considered adequate for Indian road conditions.

Globally, the Model Y is offered with 19-inch and 20-inch alloy wheel options. However, units arriving in India will reportedly come equipped only with 19-inch alloy wheels. This decision is likely aimed at optimizing the car's range and ensuring better battery efficiency in local conditions.