Tesla To Begin Selling Model 3 In India “Early Next Year”

Having apparently fallen out of favor with the Chinese government already, and having used up all his promises in Germany, Elon Musk now appears to be getting ready to take his magical Tesla flying circus to India. 

The country’s mark transport minister, Nitin Gadkari, said early this week that Tesla would be on its way to the country “early next year”, according to Reuters. 

Tesla plans to start by selling vehicles and then “might look at assembly and manufacturing based on the response”, Gadkari said. 

India is one country where EV adoption has taken hold slower than the rest of the world. The country’s lack of infrastructure – especially when compared to neighboring China – has kept EV investments to a minimum. 

Tesla has said the Model 3 will be the first to launch in the country, starting at 5.5 million Indian rupees, or about $74,750 U.S.

Despite not having facilities in the country yet, Tesla will begin bookings for sales in January. The company could see a robust response, as mom and pop investors in the country are already happily playing the part of Tesla cult members, loading up on Tesla stock, and placing “bigger-than-ever bets on U.S. stocks this year”.