Tesla to Launch Its First India Experience Center in Mumbai on July 15

As Elon Musk's low-cost satellite internet service Starlink prepares to finally go live in India, one of his other companies, Tesla, is also making progress towards making a dent in the country. The giant electric car company is set to start its Indian operations this month.

Though Tesla hasn't yet started manufacturing cars in the country, the firm will open its first Indian showroom—is an "experience centre"—in Mumbai on July 15. This 4,000 sq ft retail store is situated near Apple's mainstore in the city, in the heart of the financial district.

The launch is also a part of Tesla's wider India rollout plan. Tesla acquired a commercial property in Kurla West, Mumbai, in June, which will act as a service center for its electric vehicles. The addition takes Tesla's number of operational facilities in India to four, including an engineering center in Pune, a registered office in Bengaluru, and a temporary office in proximity to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).

Tesla India Motor and Energy Private Ltd took on a 24,500-square-foot Kurla West facility on lease to set up its service center, almost next door to its upcoming BKC showroom. While production isn't in the works currently, the decision is an important milestone toward Tesla's foray into the Indian EV market.

Tesla entered into a lease and license agreement with Bellissimo in City FC Mumbai I Private for the property at Lodha Logistics Park, as per property data analytics company CRE Matrix. The agreement for five years started with a rent of ₹37.53 lakh per month. Tesla will pay nearly ₹25 crore over the lease term, including a security deposit of ₹2.25 crore.

Currently, Tesla's interest in India is confined to retail only. "They are not interested in manufacturing in India," Union Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy had said last month. He further added that Tesla's intention is only to have showrooms for the purpose of sales.

In the meantime, the Indian government has introduced revised guidelines under its EV policy to bring in international players and support India's rise as a leading electric vehicle manufacturing hub.