Sajjan Jindal, Chairman and MD of JSW Group, has expressed skepticism about Elon Musk’s ability to succeed in India’s electric vehicle (EV) market, particularly against homegrown giants like Tata Motors and Mahindra. Speaking at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards, Jindal remarked that while Musk is undeniably intelligent, he may struggle to replicate the success he has achieved in the U.S. under different conditions.

“Musk is extremely smart, but he won’t be successful in India,” Jindal stated. “He is operating in the U.S., while we Indians are here. He cannot produce what Tata and Mahindra can in India—it’s just not possible. In the U.S., he thrives under Trump’s policies, but succeeding in India is a different challenge.” Despite acknowledging Musk’s remarkable achievements in space technology and innovation, Jindal suggested that the Indian EV market presents unique hurdles that Tesla may find difficult to overcome.

However, in a major move signaling Tesla’s entry into India, the company has reportedly finalized the location for its first showroom in the country. According to registration documents, Tesla has secured a lease for a showroom in Mumbai’s Maker Maxity building, located in the prominent Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), near the airport.

The lease agreement, which spans five years starting from February 16, 2025, entails an annual rent of approximately $446,000 (around ₹3.88 crore) for a 4,003-square-foot (372-square-meter) space—comparable in size to a basketball court.

Tesla’s entry into India has long been hindered by the country’s steep 100% import duty on EVs. While the U.S. government has been advocating for lower tariffs as part of a proposed trade agreement, India remains cautious about making drastic reductions, aiming to safeguard its domestic EV manufacturing industry. The development also follows a recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Elon Musk in the United States, highlighting ongoing discussions about Tesla’s role in India’s evolving EV landscape.