Elon Musk is hinting that Tesla would possibly enter the Indian automotive market as quickly as subsequent 12 months after a gathering with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India has the largest auto market that Tesla has but to enter.

For years, Elon Musk mentioned that Tesla’s launch in India was imminent, however robust import tariffs have made it tough. Nonetheless, the automaker has had some indications of getting ready for a launch during the last 12 months.

In 2021, Tesla formally included an Indian firm in Bengaluru, the capital of India’s southern Karnataka state. In the course of the summer time, Indian authorities officers mentioned that they’re contemplating Tesla’s proposal to enormously cut back import duties for electrical vehicles, which has been the principle hurdle for the corporate to enter the market.

The authorities has maintained excessive import duties on EVs to encourage native manufacturing, however to date, it has primarily resulted in stopping automakers to import common EVs produced exterior the nation, together with in China.

Tesla has expressed curiosity in constructing a manufacturing facility within the nation, however because it has completed in each different market, the automaker prefers to first take a look at the waters with imported automobiles.

In 2021, Tesla automobiles have been noticed being examined on Indian roads (pictured above), and it bought seven electrical car variants accepted within the nation.

Nonetheless, the corporate wasn’t in a position to come to a deal on import tariffs, and in 2022, Tesla determined to place its plans to enter the Indian market on maintain.

Issues picked up earlier this 12 months when Tesla despatched a crew to speak to officers in India, and in accordance with an area report, Tesla has agreed to construct a manufacturing facility in India to enter the market.

Is it lastly on?

The Tesla go to to India earlier this 12 months gave some credibility to the rumors, however now issues are ramping up as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk throughout his go to to the US this week.

Throughout a media scramble following his assembly with Modi, Musk mentioned that he plans to go to India subsequent 12 months and that Tesla is coming to the market “as quick as humanly attainable”: