Tesla incorporates its unit in India, filing shows

Tesla Motors India and Energy Private Limited was incorporated late last week, with its registered office situated in Bengaluru. Among the Indian unit’s three directors is David Feinstein, who currently serves as a senior executive at Tesla.

The company also signaled last year a possible entry into Singapore with its listing for a country manager in the city-state, along with at least seven other positions.

The development follows India’s transport minister Nitin Gadkari saying in December that the US electric vehicle giant would start offering its products soon, and then possibly look into setting up an assembly and manufacturing line in the country.

Tesla’s entry into India also falls in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push toward the production and use of electric vehicles to cut down the country’s reliance on oil and reduce pollution.

Although the government’s efforts on this front have been slowed down by a lack of investment in manufacturing and infrastructure such as charging stations, India announced its plan to offer US$4.6 billion in incentives to companies that can set up battery manufacturing facilities, the report noted, citing a government proposal.