A unique scene unfolded in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on Wednesday morning. Amidst light rain, American electric car manufacturer Tesla opened its first showroom in India. Outside the 4,000-square-foot, impressive showroom, a crowd of media, car enthusiasts, and locals gathered. A woman in a pink raincoat, standing outside the showroom with her daughter, mentioned that she had been eagerly anticipating Tesla and arrived as soon as the showroom opened.
Chief Minister Fadnavis Attends Inauguration, Appeals to Tesla for Investment
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present at the showroom's inauguration. He inspected the white and red Tesla Model Y cars on display and welcomed the company's entry into India. Fadnavis expressed his desire to see Tesla become a partner in Maharashtra's progress. He also shared that he had experienced a Tesla car ride in the United States in 2015 and had been particularly interested in the brand since then.
Tesla Model Y Price and Booking Information
Tesla has begun bookings for two variants of the Model Y car in India. The first variant is the 'Rear Wheel Drive', with a starting price of ₹59.89 lakh. The second variant is the 'Long Range Rear Wheel Drive', priced at ₹67.89 lakh.
Customers can register for booking by paying only ₹22,000 on Tesla's official website. Prospective buyers can also book the car by visiting the Mumbai showroom.
Why Tesla is Expensive in India
The Tesla Model Y is significantly more expensive in India than in the United States, China, and Germany. The primary reason is the heavy import duties and shipping costs on completely built-up (CBU) cars in India. The Indian government levies tariffs ranging from 70 to 110 percent.
While this model costs approximately ₹40 lakh in the US, it is priced at ₹31.5 lakh in China and around ₹46 lakh in Germany. Currently, Tesla is importing these cars from its Shanghai factory.
Second Showroom to Open Soon in Delhi
The company has indicated that its second showroom in India will soon open in the capital, Delhi. This showroom could start within the next month. Thus, Tesla is gradually beginning its expansion in India.
Tesla Chooses 'Acko' as Partner for Insurance
Tesla has chosen the digital insurance company 'Acko' as its preferred partner for insurance services in India. Acko stated that under this agreement with Tesla, customers will be able to complete the entire insurance process digitally. This includes everything from quotations to security coverage and claims, all available online.
Acko said in a statement that their aim is to simplify the car ownership experience in collaboration with Tesla. Efforts will be made to make the insurance process faster, easier, and more transparent with the help of technology so that customers do not face any problems.
Driverless Cars Not Yet, But Faith in Technology Remains
Tesla is not currently launching its fully autonomous (FSD) cars in India. However, there is still considerable excitement among people here regarding its technology. A woman standing at the BKC showroom mentioned that she considers Tesla to be at the forefront in driverless technology and is looking forward to the arrival of this technology in India in the future.
Tesla's Interest in the Indian Market Increases
Tesla's first step in India is considered very significant. Although the company is currently only selling imported models, Chief Minister Fadnavis expressed hope that Tesla will soon focus on research and development and manufacturing in the country.
It is noteworthy that the Indian government has introduced various schemes and subsidies to promote electric vehicles. In this context, Tesla's arrival could be a big signal for the EV market in the country.
Tesla's Strong Entry Amidst Growing Competition in the EV Segment
Companies like Tata, Mahindra, Hyundai, and MG are already present in the electric vehicle segment in India. However, Tesla's entry has brought a new turn to this competition. Tesla's name is already known as a global leader in the premium electric car market, and the craze for it is clearly visible in India as well.
