Tesla India Motor and Energy Pvt Ltd has signed a lease for 24,565 sq ft of warehouse space at the Lodha Logistics Park in Mumbai’s Kurla area. The lease, registered on May 16, 2025, outlines a five-year agreement valued at ₹24.38 crore. This move signals Tesla’s increasing operational activity as it builds out the infrastructure necessary to support its highly anticipated India entry.
According to property registration documents accessed by CRE Matrix, the lease includes two ground-floor units with a carpet area of over 18,000 sq ft and a chargeable area of more than 24,000 sq ft. The lease terms feature a starting monthly rent of ₹37.53 lakh, with a 5% escalation every year, bringing the total outlay to over ₹24 crore.
Additionally, Tesla will pay ₹1.62 crore in common area maintenance charges and has deposited ₹2.25 crore as a security deposit. The agreement comes with a five-year lock-in, ending on April 19, 2030, and includes 20 parking spaces, highlighting the long-term nature of Tesla’s commitment.
Part of a Bigger Play: Tesla’s Real Estate Blitz in BKC
The Kurla warehouse lease isn’t Tesla’s only recent splash in Mumbai’s high-value real estate market. In March 2025, the company leased a 4,000 sq ft showroom at the ultra-premium Maker Maxity complex in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) for ₹23.38 crore over five years. With a per square foot rent of ₹881, this lease set a national record for commercial auto showroom rentals, making it the most expensive auto retail space in the country.
Following that, in April 2025, Tesla also secured a 30-seat managed office in a co-working space near BKC for ₹3 lakh per month, reinforcing the idea that its India play is being orchestrated from a compact but high-impact base of operations.
What’s especially striking is the proximity of these assets: the warehouse in Kurla, the BKC showroom, and the flex office all fall within a 10-km radius, streamlining coordination between logistics, retail, and strategy teams.
No Manufacturing—for Now, Only Market Footprint
Interestingly, this real estate spree comes amid statements from Union Minister for Heavy Industries, H.D. Kumaraswamy, confirming that Tesla is not planning to set up manufacturing or production units in India—for now. Instead, its focus appears to be on retail expansion, logistics infrastructure, and operational readiness in key metro markets.
Abhishek Kiran Gupta, CEO of CRE Matrix, called the Kurla lease a “signal of intent,” emphasizing Tesla’s deliberate, multi-city rollout in India. “From its Pune office to flagship showrooms in BKC and Delhi-NCR, and now a strategic warehousing facility in Kurla, Tesla is building a high-impact EV ecosystem backed by prime assets,” he said.
Building the EV Ecosystem: The Bigger Picture
Though Tesla’s India entry has long been anticipated, these recent developments suggest that the EV leader is laying the groundwork for a full-fledged ecosystem—even if it doesn’t involve local production right away. With plans unfolding across Pune, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR, Tesla appears to be opting for a top-down strategy, starting with customer-facing hubs and backend logistics.
This could be the prelude to deeper engagement, possibly including assembly or local partnerships down the line. For now, Tesla’s strategic leasing of premium properties in India’s most expensive commercial zones shows it’s playing the long game.
Credits: Hindustan Times
Conclusion:
Tesla is clearly creating a solid foundation for its India strategy with its strategic movements around Mumbai, including the leasing of a flagship store in BKC, the establishment of a managed office space close by, and the recent acquisition of a sizable warehouse in Kurla. Although some may be concerned about Tesla’s lack of immediate production ambitions, the company’s investments in great real estate demonstrate that its first priority is building a strong retail and logistical presence.
This approach allows the company to test the waters, build brand visibility, and create an efficient supply chain before considering large-scale production. Each move seems to be part of a broader, phased rollout that prioritizes strategic positioning in key metro markets. With India poised to become one of the largest EV markets globally, Tesla’s methodical entry—backed by data, infrastructure, and location intelligence—could give it a strong foothold. If these signs are anything to go by, Tesla’s journey in India has only just begun.
