Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took the wheel of a Tesla Model Y outside the Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday, signalling strong political support for Tesla’s official entry into the Indian market. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik accompanied Shinde as a passenger as they arrived at the Maharashtra Assembly in the electric vehicle, drawing the attention of legislators and media alike.
Tesla launched its first Indian showroom on Tuesday at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai, marking a major step in the company's expansion into Asia’s third-largest economy. The event has already sparked conversations around India’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem and Maharashtra’s role as a leader in it.
Calling the move a 'big deal,' Deputy CM Shinde said, “Maharashtra has the highest foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. We have excellent infrastructure, and our policies are investor-friendly. This is why major global players like Tesla are looking to Maharashtra as their gateway into India.”
CM Fadnavis Inaugurates Tesla's 1st Showroom In Mumbai
Yesterday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the first Tesla showroom of India in Mumbai's BKC, along with Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. Both unveiled the car and even sat in the vehicle, in a bid to get a hands-on experience of the newly launched car.
While addressing the media at the Tesla Experience Centre inauguration, Fadnavis pitched Maharashtra as an ideal partner for Tesla’s future endeavours. “We would like Tesla not just to sell cars here but also to build them here. We hope to see research, development, and manufacturing take place in India, particularly in Maharashtra,” said Fadnavis, addressing Tesla representatives and industry stakeholders.
He also stated that Mumbai is more than just the financial and entertainment capital of the country, it is also a center of innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. “The launch of Tesla's first showroom in Mumbai is a strong statement. It reflects Tesla’s confidence in our city and state,” he noted.
