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Asked about Tesla’s latest move on hiring in India, a senior government official told CNN-News18 that India is a “big market for EVs in the coming times and no company can afford to ignore it”
The Indian government’s long-standing stance has been that Tesla is welcome in India, but it must not manufacture its electric vehicles in China and import them into India. (AP)
Is Tesla coming to India and, more importantly, will it ‘Make in India’? The first indicator of Elon Musk’s company coming to India has been the posting of job opportunities for the country on LinkedIn for the first time, clearly signalling that it will soon open its showrooms in Delhi and Mumbai.
However, it is not clear if Musk will adhere to India’s wish that his company manufactures in the country too rather than just import.
Tesla chief Elon Musk met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s US visit last week and Tesla’s move to hire in India soon after has triggered speculation in government circles if a breakthrough has been achieved. The Indian government’s long-standing stance has been that Tesla is welcome in India, but it must not manufacture its electric vehicles in China and import them into India. Union minister Nitin Gadkari has reiterated this position on many occasions.
Last year, the government announced a highly subsidised import duty of 15 per cent for 8,000 foreign-made electric vehicles imported every year if the said company invests $500 million for local manufacturing. Musk had planned a visit to India last year but cancelled it later. Tesla has been hesitant to enter India due to the high custom duties levied by the country and US, under Donald Trump, has been threatening higher tariffs.
In the recent Union budget, India also slashed basic customs duty on high-end cars priced above $40,000 from 110 per cent to 70 per cent but raised an additional 10 per cent. “India is a big market for EVs in the coming times and no company can afford to ignore it,” a senior government official told CNN-News when asked about Tesla’s latest move on hiring.
Targeting Delhi, Mumbai Market
Tesla advertised 13 jobs in India on Monday and this could translate into much more if the EV-maker firms up its plans to enter India. The job profiles indicate Tesla is looking at the Delhi and Mumbai market for a start. The job advertised with profile of a ‘Tesla Advisor’ entails “supporting customers from the moment they walk into our showrooms to learn about Tesla, and help deliver an innovative buying experience. This role would be open in Mumbai and Delhi”.
It also involves scheduling test drives for individuals who exhibit purchase intent or potential. Another job advertised with the profile of a ‘Sales Advisor’ mentions requirement of “creating, training and building a sales team for Tesla” and “design/adapt inside sales team operational procedures in India” for showroom sales. There are also roles of ‘Service Technician’ for “performing entry-level work in the inspection, repair, and service of Tesla electric vehicles” and “perform pre-delivery inspections of new cars,” as per the profile.
