Tesla has officially kicked off hiring in India, a strong indication that the electric vehicle (EV) maker is gearing up for its long-anticipated entry into the country. Job listings on Tesla’s website show 13 open positions, primarily in Mumbai Suburban, Maharashtra, spanning vehicle service, sales and customer support, and business operations.
Tesla and India: A History of Delayed Entry
Tesla’s interest in the Indian market dates back several years, but challenges related to high import duties, infrastructure limitations, and policy negotiations have delayed its entry. Previously, Tesla sought to import its vehicles to India but faced a 100% import duty on cars priced above $40,000.
However, in a recent policy shift, the Indian government has lowered duties on luxury EVs to 70%, making it a more attractive market for Tesla. Additionally, the government has been actively working on production-linked incentives (PLI) for EV manufacturers, which could benefit Tesla if it decides to set up local manufacturing.
Tesla’s Job Listings in India
According to Tesla’s Careers website, the newly listed roles include:
- Vehicle Service – Service Advisor, Parts Advisor, Service Technician, Service Manager
- Sales & Customer Support – Tesla Advisor, Store Manager, Customer Support Supervisor, Customer Support Specialist, Inside Sales Advisor, Consumer Engagement Manager
- Operations & Business Support – Business Operations Analyst, Delivery Operations Specialist, Order Operations Specialist
Tesla’s Next Steps in India
The recent hiring spree suggests Tesla is laying the groundwork for customer support, sales, and service centers in India before officially launching its vehicles. Mumbai is likely to be one of the first cities to get Tesla’s presence, followed by major metros like Delhi and Bangalore.
Elon Musk has previously hinted at Tesla’s India entry, and his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week in the U.S. may have helped push things forward.
NEWS: @elonmusk is meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington pic.twitter.com/T2fzP0u0p9
— Drive Tesla (@DriveTeslaca) February 13, 2025
If hiring continues at this pace, Tesla could start selling its vehicles in India within the next year. While there’s still no official confirmation on the first Tesla model to launch in India, the Model 3 and Model Y are strong contenders, given their global popularity and pricing flexibility.
