Tesla Signals India Entry With New Hiring Plans

Automobile giant Tesla has initiated its recruitment plans in India, indicating its market entry following the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its chief executive Elon Musk.

The company advertised 13 positions on its website for various full-time roles based in Mumbai.

Tesla has not responded to Inc42’s queries on the development. The story will be updated based on the response.

This development comes nearly two months after reports suggested that the electric carmaker was in early talks with real estate major DLF to scout places to host its showroom in Delhi NCR India.

Earlier this year, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Union Budget 2025-26 presentation announced a National Manufacturing Mission to strengthen the nation’s manufacturing capabilities in the cleantech space, in particular solar cells and the EV ecosystem.

Tesla is venturing into the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market amid a backdrop of dwindling demand in its primary markets, the US and China.

To note, reports have also been circulating for almost a year about confirming Tesla’s entry into the Indian market, posing a potential challenge to the domestic players with its high-end electric cars powered by its autopilot technology.

Initially, the global EV manufacturing giant was set to send a team to India to hunt for locations  last year across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, for its first $2-$3 Bn factory. 

Meanwhile, the Centre approved a new policy in March 2024, aimed at promoting EV manufacturing in the country, addressing a long-standing demand of Tesla in the country. The policy allows EV companies to pay lower duty on imports of EVs if they agree to set up manufacturing facilities in the country.

Further, Tesla was reportedly engaged in talks with Reliance Industries for a potential joint venture to build a manufacturing unit in the country, around the same time last year.

Updated at 04:36 PM