Tesla Inc. has officially begun hiring in India, marking a significant step toward its long-anticipated entry into the country’s electric vehicle (EV) market. The hiring push follows a recent meeting between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the United States, indicating strong governmental support for Tesla’s expansion into India.

The EV giant has posted 13 job openings on LinkedIn, including roles for service technicians, customer engagement managers, and delivery operations specialists. At least five of these positions are available in Mumbai and Delhi, with others focused on Mumbai-based operations.

Tesla and India have had intermittent discussions over the years, but high import duties previously kept the company from entering the Indian market. However, India recently lowered customs duties on high-end cars priced above $40,000 from 110% to 70%, making it more feasible for Tesla to operate in the country.

While India’s EV market is still in its early stages compared to China, it presents an opportunity for Tesla as the company faces slowing global sales. India saw nearly 100,000 electric car sales last year, significantly lower than China’s 11 million, but the demand for EVs is steadily rising.

Tesla’s India expansion comes amid broader geopolitical discussions, including Modi’s meeting with former US President Donald Trump. Although Musk has close ties with Trump, it remains unclear whether his meeting with Modi was purely business-related or had political implications.

With Tesla now actively hiring in India, it seems likely that the company is gearing up for a market launch in the near future, potentially reshaping the Indian EV landscape.

Author
Surabh Yadav