Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, has confirmed The Indian Express that electric car giant Tesla will start its operation in India next year.
Indian government is promoting electric vehicles to reduce oil dependence and cut down on pollution. Several Indian companies are also working on electrical vehicles to give consumers affordable electric cars.
Nitin Gadkari confirmed that Tesla will start operations first and then it may look at assembly and manufacturing.
“India is going to become a number 1 manufacturing hub for auto in five years,” Gadkari added.
As per the report. Tesla Model 3 will be the first car in India. Bookings will start in January and deliveries will begin in June. Cars will be imported but sales will be handled by Tesla itself as it does in other countries.
It is worth noting that Tesla planned its India entry back in 2016 and also collected a $1000 deposit from interested buyers. However, those consumers who paid the $1000 deposit are still waiting. Musk blamed FDI norms for the delay.
