After Elon Musk’s Tesla successfully managed to make it to foreign roads, Indians have been eagerly waiting for the U.S. electric and clean energy vehicle company to make their way into India. But even after repeated requests, Musk has been postponing the launch of the electric vehicle in the country by saying “Next year for sure.”
But things are looking a bit promising this time and the company might start selling cars in India in early 2021, reported The Indian Express.
Speaking at The Indian Express Idea Exchange program, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari said that Tesla would start operations in India with sales in the coming year, reported The Financial Express.
The Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises added that Tesla will first start operations with sales and then probably move towards assembling and manufacturing, all this based on the response to the cars. Looking at pushing electrical cars in the Indian markets, he said, “India is going to become a number 1 manufacturing hub for auto in five years.”
Reports indicate that the affordable Tesla Model 3 would be the first one to enter our markets, the booking for which could start in a few weeks. The car is likely to be priced at Rs 55 lakh onwards. However, it would be up for grabs only in the latter half of the new year.
A report by The Indian Express said that the company has already collected $1000 (Rs 73,505 approx.) as deposits from Indian buyers in 2016 who later felt let down by the company. The criteria of locally sourcing 30% material have been delaying the plans of Tesla’s launch in Indian, said Musk.
Maybe I'm misinformed, but I was told that 30% of parts must be locally sourced and the supply doesn't yet exist in India to support that.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 22, 2017
Well, let’s see if Indians would be able to finally bring Tesla home in 2021 ya iss saal bhi Musk would say ‘agle saal pakka’.
Having said that, promising Made in India electric automobile companies are rapidly progressing and coming up with upgraded vehicles that may soon give Tesla a run for its money. So, Elon bhai, zara sambhal ke. 😉