Tesla Inc. has begun recruiting in India, signaling its imminent entry into the Indian market. This move follows a meeting between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the United States.
The electric vehicle (EV) giant has listed 13 job openings, spanning customer-facing and backend roles, according to advertisements posted on LinkedIn on Monday.
Among these, at least five positions—including service technicians and advisory roles—are available in both Mumbai and Delhi. Other positions, such as customer engagement manager and delivery operations specialist, are exclusively for Mumbai.
Tesla's renewed interest in India
Tesla has been in discussions with India for years but previously refrained from entering the market due to high import duties. However, India recently reduced the basic customs duty on high-end electric vehicles priced above $40,000 from 110% to 70%, making the market more accessible to foreign manufacturers.
Although India’s EV market remains small compared to China’s, it presents an opportunity for Tesla to expand its global footprint amid slowing sales. Tesla recently reported its first annual drop in EV sales in over a decade.
In 2023, India’s EV sales approached 100,000 units, a stark contrast to China’s 11 million.
Modi-Musk meeting and US trade relations
Tesla’s hiring drive comes shortly after Modi’s meeting with Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. Following their discussion, Trump stated that Modi had agreed to begin negotiations aimed at addressing the U.S. trade deficit.
These negotiations also include potential military procurement deals, such as steps toward acquiring F-35 fighter jets.
Musk's political and business interests
While Musk is a key figure in Trump’s administration, the meeting's nature remains ambiguous. Trump did not clarify whether Musk met Modi in his capacity as a private business leader or as part of his governmental role.
Musk’s involvement in Trump’s government has increasingly blurred the lines between his political and business interests. In a related development, Italy recently confirmed ongoing talks with Musk’s SpaceX regarding a deal to provide secure telecommunications for the Italian government.
This discussion followed a meeting between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and then-President-elect Trump in Florida.
As Tesla’s recruitment efforts ramp up in India, industry experts anticipate further developments regarding the company’s long-term strategy in the country.
Also Read: Elon Musk meets PM Modi: 3 key requests for India
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