Tesla is welcome in India but manufacturing in China and selling in India is “not a digestible concept”, Union Roads and Highways Minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari told CNN-NEWS18 in an exclusive interview. He said there has been an interaction with the India head of Tesla recently to convince them to set up their plant here given the country is a huge market.
Elon Musk’s tweet in the last month about Tesla facing problems in setting foot on the Indian market had created a stir, leading to many states openly inviting the Tesla CEO.
“Tesla is welcome in India, we don’t have any problem. The Indian market is huge. The Indian automobile industry’s turnover is Rs 7.5 lakh crore. And all the reputed brands in the whole world — BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai, Toyota, Volvo, Honda — are here. So there is a huge market,” the Union Minister said to CNBC.
Gadkari said Musk was looking to manufacture Tesla cars in China and sell in India. “We request him that you can start your own plant here. We have all ancillaries available here, you can get quality production here and you can get good sale here. So if you start here, you are welcome, no problem. But manufacturing in China and selling in India is not a digestible concept to all of us,” the Union Minister made it clear. He also revealed that about three-four days ago, he had an interaction with the India head of Tesla and he has tried to convince them. “Ultimately it depends on him to take the decision,” he said.
Gadkari claimed that within two years, by getting good manufacturing numbers, the cost of electric two, three, and four-wheelers and even buses will be equal to petrol and diesel vehicles’ cost. “We can achieve that,” he said, terming it a “number game.”
Gadkari added that the sector has maximum employment potential and contributes significantly to GST revenue of states and the centre which will play a crucial role in India’s growth story.
