Tesla Initiates Recruitment of Autopilot Vehicle Operators in India
Tesla Officially Enters the Indian Market with the Launch of Model Y
Tesla, the American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has officially entered the Indian market with the launch of its Model Y in July 2025. Deliveries are expected to begin by September 2025. The company has opened two showrooms—one in Mumbai and a second in Delhi (Aerocity)—along with its first charging station in Mumbai's Bandra-Kurla Complex. Plans are underway to expand Supercharger infrastructure in Delhi NCR and nearby cities.
Despite the official launch, Tesla is currently selling only the China-made Model Y in India due to high import duties and financial considerations. Plans for building a manufacturing gigafactory in India appear uncertain or delayed, as the business case has weakened, and Tesla's financial position has degraded through 2025.
Tesla has leased office space in India in late 2023 and has been hiring for various roles, including Autopilot Vehicle Operators in New Delhi and Mumbai for its local autonomous driving and data collection operations. These roles involve driving engineering vehicles for extended periods to gather dynamic audio and camera data for testing and training purposes. Successful candidates will be responsible for performing minor equipment troubleshooting, writing shift reports, ensuring vehicle safety, and collaborating with Tesla's development teams.
The data collected will be used to train Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. However, there is no publicly confirmed official local data collection or autonomous vehicle testing program specifically launched in India yet. Tesla's India operations so far focus on sales, service, and charging infrastructure deployment rather than full-scale autonomous driving development or localized data operations.
The Model Y, priced as a luxury product (~₹60-70 lakh), is Tesla's first offering in India. The company's renewed momentum in India comes after years of negotiations with the Indian government over import duties and local manufacturing commitments. In 2024, the Indian government announced a new EV policy offering reduced tariffs for companies that commit to manufacturing vehicles in the country within three years. However, Tesla's specific mention in this policy is absent.
The roles offer a 10% pay premium for afternoon and night shifts. Tesla's approach resembles the introduction of a Western luxury brand entering a new market with limited local presence, targeting affluent customers rather than the mass middle-class market common in China or Europe.
In summary, Tesla's initial market entry in India is focused on sales and brand presence, with autonomous technology offered but without current significant local development or data collection activities reported.
| Aspect | Status in India (as of August 2025) | |----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | Official Launch | Model Y launched July 2025; deliveries start ~Sept 2025 | | Showrooms | Two showrooms: Mumbai and Delhi | | Charging Infrastructure | First Supercharger in Mumbai; more planned in Delhi NCR | | Local Manufacturing | No factory operational; plans uncertain/delayed | | Pricing | Model Y priced as a luxury product (~₹60-70 lakh) | | Autonomous Driving (FSD) | FSD package available for purchase | | Local Autonomous Testing | Not publicly confirmed or active | | Data Collection Operations | No official local data programs announced |
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