NEW DELHI, India: Tesla chief Elon Musk has said Tesla cannot manufacture electric vehicles in India until it is first allowed to sell and maintain autos throughout the country.
Musk made his statement when answering a Tweet from a user asking when Tesla would begin manufacturing in India.
“Tesla will not put a manufacturing plant in any location where we are not allowed first to sell and service cars,” Musk said.
In April, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said Tesla could manufacture autos in India, but could not sell autos in the country that were assembled in China.
Musk had earlier said that Tesla could set up manufacturing in India, but only after it first succeeds in selling and maintaining imported vehicles in the country.
Musk added, “Import duties are the highest in the world by far of any large country!”
India charges a 100 percent import duty on fully imported cars costing more than $40,000, and 60 percent on those costing less.
