Tesla-Kicks-Off

Tesla Begins India Expansion with 13 Job Openings in Mumbai & Delhi

 

Tesla Inc. has started hiring in India, signaling its intention to enter the Indian market shortly after Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the United States. The electric vehicle (EV) maker has posted job listings for 13 positions, including customer-facing and back-end roles, on its LinkedIn page.

At least five of these positions, including service technicians and advisory roles, are available in both Mumbai and Delhi, while others, such as customer engagement manager and delivery operations specialist, are specifically for Mumbai. This recruitment drive suggests that Tesla is preparing to establish its presence in India's automotive sector.

 

Tesla and India’s Ongoing Engagement

 

Tesla has engaged with India on multiple occasions but has refrained from entering the market due to concerns over high import duties. Previously, India's high tariffs on imported EVs made Tesla’s expansion challenging. However, the Indian government has recently reduced the basic customs duty on high-end cars priced above $40,000 from 110% to 70%, making the Indian market more attractive for global automakers.

The reduction in tariffs could facilitate Tesla’s market entry, making its vehicles more competitively priced. Additionally, India’s push for electric mobility aligns with Tesla’s global vision of accelerating the transition to sustainable energy.

 

India’s EV Market and Tesla’s Strategy

 

Although India's EV market is still developing compared to China, it presents an opportunity for Tesla to counter slowing sales globally. India recorded nearly 100,000 electric car sales last year, a fraction of China’s 11 million. Tesla, which recently reported its first annual drop in EV sales in over a decade, may see India as a potential growth market.

By establishing operations in India, Tesla could leverage government incentives, expanding consumer interest, and an improving EV infrastructure. The company’s hiring process suggests that it is preparing for sales and after-sales service operations in the country.

 

Musk’s Political and Business Interests are in Focus

 

Tesla’s hiring move is following its meeting between Indian PM Narendra Modi with Musk and the US President Donald Trump in Washington last week. Moroever, PM Modi has also agreed to start talks between the two with the aim of narrowing the US trade deficit and increasing military purchases including the F-35 fighter jets supply.

Musk, who is a key component in the Trump’s cabinet, has come under scrutiny for his business and political interest overlap.Last month, Italy confirmed talks with Musk’s SpaceX about a deal to give Italian government secure telecommunications. The series of meetings follows a meeting in Florida between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Trump.

As Tesla progresses with its hiring process in India, industry observers continue to pay close attention to how it plans for manufacturing, sales and service infrastructure in the country.