Tesla’s Recruitment Drive in India

Tesla’s foray into the Indian electric vehicle market is marked by the company’s recent recruitment initiative. Tesla Inc. has revealed 13 job vacancies on its official website, aimed at filling positions in vehicle services, sales, operations, and business support, particularly in the Mumbai area. A customer engagement manager role has also been advertised on LinkedIn.

Potential Plans for Entry

Although Tesla Inc. has not yet provided a concrete strategy for entering the Indian market, this movement follows Elon Musk’s dialogue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting in the U.S.

Tesla’s Product Offerings

Tesla is renowned for its range of electric vehicles, energy storage solutions, and solar products. Its vehicle collection comprises the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, in addition to the Cybertruck and Tesla Semi. The energy sector features products such as Powerwall, Powerpack, and Megapack for energy storage, along with solar panels and solar roofs for renewable energy generation.

Recent Developments in India

In a significant step, Tesla inked a five-year lease with Tablespace Technologies for a 5,850 sq. ft. office in Pune in 2023. Reports from the previous year indicated Tesla’s intention to establish showrooms in New Delhi and Mumbai, with plans for outlets ranging between 3,000 to 5,000 sq. ft., accompanied by service hubs.

Market Entry Challenges

Tesla has previously shown interest in the Indian market, but high import duties had been a major barrier. Recent changes in policy, particularly the reduction of the basic customs duty on luxury EVs priced over $40,000, from 110% to 70%, have made the Indian market increasingly attractive for Tesla.