Maharashtra: Tesla Considers Indian Market Entry by April 2026, Explores Satara District for Assembly Facility
Satara, 12th May 2025: Elon Musk-led Tesla is reportedly exploring land options in Satara, Maharashtra, to establish a completely knocked down (CKD) assembly facility for its electric vehicles, according to a report by Business Standard.
Sources cited in the report claim that Tesla previously engaged in joint venture discussions with Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering, but the partnership did not come to fruition. The EV giant is also said to have been in conversations with other Indian firms regarding a similar collaboration for the CKD initiative.
CKD vehicles are shipped as separate parts and assembled locally, a strategy often used to reduce import tariffs and encourage domestic operations.
The report suggests that Tesla’s formal entry into the Indian market could take place by April 2026. The move aligns with the company’s recent job postings across Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune, indicating its growing focus on building a presence in the country. These developments follow Elon Musk’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the United States.
Earlier this year, Reuters reported that Tesla had finalized an agreement to open its first Indian showroom in Mumbai. The company has signed a five-year lease for a 4,003-square-foot space, with an initial annual rent of approximately $446,000.
In a leadership update, Tesla’s India country head, Prashanth Menon, exited the company after nearly a decade. Until a new head is appointed, Tesla’s China-based team will reportedly oversee operations in the Indian market, according to Bloomberg.
