Tesla hints at entering India with job postings just days after PM Modi meets Elon Musk

Tesla Inc. has begun hiring in India, signaling its preparation to enter the country, according to a LinkedIn job posting. The move follows a recent meeting between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Modi’s visit to the US. A Bloomberg report states that Tesla listed 13 job openings in India, spanning both customer-facing and back-end roles. The company posted these job listings on its LinkedIn page on Monday.

Tesla Expands Hiring Efforts in Mumbai and Delhi

Tesla is seeking candidates for various positions in Mumbai and Delhi, including service technicians and advisory roles. It is also hiring for roles like customer engagement manager and delivery operations specialist, specifically for Mumbai. In the past, high import duties deterred Tesla from entering the Indian market, despite its interest. However, the government recently reduced the basic customs duty on high-end cars priced above $40,000 from 110% to 70%, making the Indian market more appealing for luxury EV makers.

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India’s EV market, though still in its early stages compared to China’s, offers Tesla an opportunity as it aims to expand into new regions. With a global slowdown in sales, Tesla recently reported its first annual drop in EV sales in over a decade.

India Prepares for EV Expansion After PM Modi’s Meeting with Musk and Trump

Tesla decided to enter India shortly after PM Modi met with Musk and former US President Donald Trump in Washington last week. After the meeting, Trump announced that PM Modi had agreed to begin trade negotiations to reduce the US-India trade deficit and increase US military sales, including discussions on supplying F-35 fighter jets to India.

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Tesla’s hiring activity suggests the company is preparing to set up operations in India, though it has not officially confirmed when it will start selling cars in the country. Analysts expect Tesla to focus on importing its cars initially, before considering the establishment of a local manufacturing plant, depending on demand and policy support.