INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: Even before it forays into India with its electric cars, American electric vehicle giant Tesla has begun heavy component sourcing
It is expected to ship parts worth $1.7-1.9 billion this year from India.Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said while the company
finalises its launch plans for the market, it is already sourcing significantly from India, indicating the robustness of the manufacturing
processes and quality of production."Tesla last year bought $1 billion worth of components from India..
this year, their target is $1.7-1.9 billion," the minister said, adding that, "I am convinced that this (EVs) is the future
It is something we must try to attract." On whether Tesla will be given preferential treatment in terms of lower import duty on cars for the
initial period of its business, he said, "This government has been in power for nine years, and everything we have done has been done
equally - without any differentiation, without any preferences." The carmaker had revived its plans to manufacture and launch cars in India
a couple of months ago, after abandoning the project last year
Sources had told TOI in July that Tesla opened discussions with the government for an investment proposal to set up a mega car factory in
India with an annual capacity of as many as 5 lakh vehicles, which would churn out electric cars with prices that may begin from "as low as"
Rs 20 lakh.Not only this, the company - which also has a significant business in China (including factories) - is looking at using India as
an export base as it plans to ship cars to countries in the Indo-Pacific region
A source in the government said that Tesla has come to the government with an aggressive and ambitious plan which is focused around local
investments and manufacturing
When asked about foreign firms looking to invest in India as part of the China-plus-one strategy, Goyal said global companies are coming to
India because of its attractiveness
"I totally debunk and reject the China-plus-one theory
That's not what is going to drive India..
the India of today stands on its own feet
It has offerings for the rest of the world - both for investment and trade."
