Tesla Initiates Recruitment of Self-Driving Car Operators in India
Tesla Officially Launches in India, Focusing on Brand Presence and Infrastructure
After months of anticipation, Tesla has officially entered the Indian market, marking a significant milestone in the country's growing electric vehicle (EV) industry. The American electric vehicle manufacturer has launched its first model, the Model Y, in India, with deliveries expected to start in Q3 2025.
The Model Y, priced around ₹60-68 lakh, is currently being imported from China. Tesla has finalized its first showroom locations in India, with two sites in New Delhi and Mumbai. The Mumbai showroom is situated in the Maker Maxity Mall, while the second, recently opened in Delhi's Aerocity, spans an 8,200 sq ft premium facility.
Tesla is actively expanding its supercharging network in key metro areas, including Delhi-NCR (with stations planned in Gurugram, Noida, and Saket), Mumbai (Lower Parel, Navi Mumbai, Thane), and Bangalore soon. The company also plans for mobile service, remote diagnostics, and a service/collision center to ensure seamless after-sales support.
However, Tesla's plan for a local Gigafactory appears uncertain or on hold. Negotiations have been complicated due to India’s high import duties and the absence of import duty waivers. While Tesla has leased land in nearby cities, no confirmed factory construction is underway, and the focus remains on sales and service infrastructure rather than manufacturing.
Regarding autonomous driving and data collection, buyers in India can opt for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) package for an additional ₹6 lakh. However, specific details on how Tesla will manage autonomous driving software, regulations, or data collection operations in India have not been publicly clarified. Tesla typically collects driving data globally to improve its FSD system, but adaptation and regulation compliance in India remain to be seen.
Tesla is hiring full-time Autopilot Vehicle Operators in New Delhi and Mumbai for data collection and testing purposes. Successful candidates will also be responsible for performing minor equipment troubleshooting, writing shift reports, ensuring vehicle safety, and collaborating with Tesla’s development teams.
The Indian government announced a new EV policy in 2024, offering reduced tariffs for companies that commit to manufacturing vehicles in the country within three years. This policy is expected to help Tesla establish a domestic production facility, although no official confirmation has been made yet.
In summary, Tesla's entry into India prioritizes brand presence, charging infrastructure, and after-sales support, while local manufacturing and broader product lines remain future possibilities but are not imminent.
| Aspect | Current Status in India (August 2025) | |------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | Product Offering | Model Y SUV (imported from China), deliveries from Q3 2025 | | Showroom Locations | Mumbai (Maker Maxity Mall), Delhi (Aerocity, Worldmark 3) | | Supercharging Stations | Existing and planned in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bangalore | | Manufacturing Facility | No confirmed Tesla Gigafactory; plans uncertain and likely delayed| | Autonomous Driving (FSD) | FSD package available as optional addon; data management details unclear | | Service Infrastructure | Mobile service, remote diagnostics, Tesla-approved collision center planned|
[1] Tesla Launches Model Y in India [2] Tesla's Plans for a Local Gigafactory in India [3] Tesla Expands Supercharging Network in India [4] Tesla's Service and Support Plans for India
- Tesla has made its entry into the Indian market, not only focusing on the electric vehicle (EV) industry but also aiming to expand in others, such as finance, transportation, automotive, and technology, as it offers the Model Y, imports its cars from China, and plans to establish a supercharging network and service centers in metropolitan areas.
- Despite Tesla's market presence and infrastructure expansion in various sectors, attempts to construct a local Gigafactory in India have been complicated due to high import duties and the absence of duty waivers, leading to uncertainty about domestic manufacturing and broader product lines.
