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A completely knocked down (CKD) vehicle is one that is shipped in parts and then assembled in the destination country.
Elon Musk’s company plans CKD unit as India launch nears 2026
Tesla, led by billionaire Elon Musk, is now exploring land options in Satara, Maharashtra, to set up a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) electric vehicle assembly plant, according to a report by Business Standard.
Having said that, CKD means the cars are imported in parts and put together in the country—this helps reduce the heavy import taxes India charges on fully built cars.
Earlier, Tesla held discussions with Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering for a potential joint venture. However, these talks didn’t lead to an agreement, as per sources cited in the report. The EV giant was also in touch with other Indian firms, but no deal has been finalised yet.
Tesla May Launch in India by April 2026
As per Money Control, an official quoted in the report mentioned that Tesla could officially enter the Indian market by April 2026.
Tesla had earlier posted job openings in Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune, hinting that it is preparing to enter the country. These developments followed Elon Musk’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his US visit.
First Showroom in Mumbai
Back in March, Reuters reported that Tesla had signed a deal to open its first showroom in Mumbai. The space is 4,003 sq. ft.—roughly the size of a basketball court. Tesla has signed a five-year lease, and will reportedly pay $446,000 (approx. Rs 3.7 crore) in rent for the first year.
Leadership Shake-Up Raises Questions
Just as things were gaining momentum, Tesla India’s head Prashanth Menon stepped down after nine years with the company. For now, Tesla’s China team will reportedly oversee India operations, as per Bloomberg.
This sudden change has raised eyebrows about Tesla’s plans, especially as the company has already faced multiple delays in entering the Indian market.
Will Tesla Finally Make It to India?
Tesla’s journey into India has been full of delays, discussions, and missed deadlines. The Indian government has shown interest by offering lower import taxes if Tesla agrees to make its cars locally. While land scouting and hiring are positive signs, uncertainty still hangs in the air.
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