After years of “coming soon” teasers, Tesla’s India dream seems to be finally plugging in. Big hints are dropping everywhere — from refunding early bookings to leasing a Mumbai office. Looks like Elon Musk is getting ready to finally roll into the Indian market.
If you have been one of those hopefuls who booked a Tesla Model 3 way back in 2016, you might have found a pleasant surprise in your inbox lately, a refund notification. Tesla has started returning reservation fees to early Indian customers. The message is polite but clear: Hold tight, we’ll be back once the launch is ready. And this move speaks volumes.
Why refund now? Because Tesla is wrapping up the old version of Model 3 globally. Plus, the timing smells strategic, India and the United States are in the middle of trade talks. There’s chatter about dropping those steep car import tariffs. If the taxes soften, Tesla’s entry becomes way more practical, both for them and Indian buyers.
Elon Musk has already confirmed plans to visit India this year. His India trip could be the last push needed to finalise Tesla’s market launch strategies. Given the massive appetite for electric vehicles among India’s rising middle class, Tesla probably doesn’t want to miss the party.
And here’s more proof that Tesla isn’t just playing games this time. They have signed up for an office space in Mumbai. Not just anywhere, right next to the posh Bandra-Kurla Complex. It’s a modest set-up for now, around 30 seats inside a co-working space at Phoenix Market City. They’re shelling out around Rs 3 lakh per month. For a brand like Tesla, that’s pocket change, but the intent is crystal clear: groundwork for bigger things.
Insiders say this office will likely handle early-stage hiring, vendor coordination, and backend support. A foot in the door before they go full throttle.
Meanwhile, Tesla has its work cut out. Not only is it facing fierce competition from Chinese players like BYD globally, but their own sales have taken a bit of a tumble, the first delivery drop in over a decade. For India, however, Tesla brings a solid brand pull, and the market’s EV space is still young and hungry.
But it’s not just dreams and excitement, Tesla’s arrival might pinch homegrown carmakers a bit. They have built the local EV scene brick by brick, and Tesla’s entry could shuffle the game.
Whatever happens next, one thing is sure: the countdown for Tesla India 2.0 has officially started.
After years of waiting, hope, and a bit of heartbreak, it finally feels like India’s Tesla moment is on the horizon. Refunds, new offices, and Elon’s visit are all flashing green lights. Now, it’s just a matter of time before we see those sleek Teslas humming down Indian roads.
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