Tesla is ramping up its hiring efforts in India, signaling potential progress in its long-anticipated entry into the country’s automotive market.
The company has listed 13 job openings based in Mumbai, covering roles in vehicle service, sales and customer support, and operations. These positions were advertised on Tesla’s careers page and LinkedIn, indicating an increased focus on establishing a presence in India.
The recruitment drive follows a recent meeting between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While it is unclear whether the two discussed Tesla’s market entry, Modi described the conversation as productive, covering topics such as mobility, technology, and innovation.
The job listings suggest that Tesla may be preparing to open a showroom and delivery center in Mumbai. For example, the company is hiring for a “Store Manager” role responsible for overseeing sales operations, as well as delivery operations specialists who will manage administrative tasks at a delivery center.
Tesla has been eyeing the Indian market for nearly a decade. In 2016, the company began accepting preorders for its vehicles, and in 2021, it registered a business entity in the country. However, its plans stalled due to India’s high import duties, which Musk previously described as the highest among major economies. In response to industry lobbying, India recently lowered import taxes on electric vehicles for manufacturers willing to invest at least $500 million and establish local production within three years.
Although Musk was expected to visit India in April to formally announce Tesla’s entry, the trip was postponed due to company obligations.
Bloomberg, Reuters, and Business Insider contributed to this report.
