Elon Musk’s Tesla starts hiring in India following meeting with PM Modi in US

Tesla Inc., the world’s leading electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy company, has announced plans to expand its presence in India by initiating a hiring drive for multiple roles. The company, which has had a limited presence in the country, recently posted job openings for 13 positions on its official website, covering both customer-facing and back-end roles.
This move comes shortly after Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s visit to the United States. The announcement signals Tesla’s growing interest in India, a market with immense potential for EV adoption. The Indian government has recently introduced policies to attract EV manufacturers by reducing import duties on high-end electric cars and promoting local manufacturing.

Tesla’s job listings reveal positions in Mumbai with opportunities in sales, customer engagement, and service operations. The available roles include:

These roles indicate Tesla’s strategy to build a strong customer service network while ensuring a seamless purchase and ownership experience.

Tesla has long considered entering the Indian market but has been hesitant due to high import duties on EVs. The company’s negotiations with the Indian government have fluctuated over the years, with discussions stalling due to concerns over taxation policies.
Previously, India imposed an import duty of 110% on electric cars priced above $40,000, making Tesla’s vehicles prohibitively expensive for Indian consumers. However, the government has now reduced this duty to 70% in an effort to encourage foreign EV manufacturers to invest in India.

India is the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter globally but has committed to reducing emissions as part of its pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. With an increasing number of affluent consumers and a growing demand for sustainable transportation, India is emerging as a promising market for EV manufacturers like Tesla.
To attract investments, the Indian government announced new policies in March 2024, reducing import duties for EV companies that commit to investing at least Rs 41.5 billion ($500 million) in local manufacturing. This policy aims to:


Elon Musk had initially planned a visit to India in April 2024 to meet PM Modi and explore investment opportunities, including setting up a Tesla manufacturing facility. However, Musk postponed his visit due to urgent business matters, including Tesla’s workforce reduction and vehicle recalls in the United States.
Despite these setbacks, Tesla has remained engaged in discussions with Indian officials, and its latest hiring announcement suggests renewed interest in entering the market. The company’s next steps could involve: