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India Minister Asks Tesla Not to Sell China-Made Cars in India

Gadkari asked Tesla to avoid selling China-made cars in India ahead of the electric-vehicle maker’s expected entry in country.

India Minister Asks Tesla Not to Sell China-Made Cars in India
A customer stands in front of Tesla Inc. Model X electric vehicle in Shanghai. (Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)

India’s Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said he asked Tesla Inc. to avoid selling China-made cars in India ahead of the electric-vehicle maker’s expected entry into the South Asian nation.

Tesla should “make cars in India, sell in India and export from India,” and rely on local suppliers, Gadkari said at an India Today Conclave event on Friday. Tesla models in India will cost 3.5 million rupees ($46,671) each and the government will provide whatever help the U.S. carmaker needs to make a foray into the nation, he said.

The company in August received approval to make or import four models in India, according to a posting on the website of the nation’s ministry of road transport and highways. Tesla produces vehicles in factories in the U.S. and China, and is awaiting final approval for a new plant in Germany.

©2021 Bloomberg L.P.