Elon Musk might visit India in early 2019
What's the story
If his tweets are to be believed, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is slated to visit India soon. Replying to a query from an Indian user on Twitter, Musk said that he'd be visiting India "probably early next year". Musk had earlier shown keen interest in launching Tesla's electric vehicles in India, but had blamed Indian regulations for delays. Here's more.
Twitter Post
Musk's tweet on his probable India visit
Prob early next year
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 12, 2018
Delay
Musk blamed India's FDI norms for the delay
Musk's initial plans had included the launch of Tesla electric vehicles in India as early as the summer of 2017. However, he cited stringent government regulations and policies as the elements responsible for his plans getting derailed. In particular, Musk pointed the finger at India's foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for the delay in Tesla's entry into the Indian automobile market.
Policy issues
'Make In India' rubbishes Musk's claims of stringent policy
Tesla was slated to enter the Indian automobile market with its Model 3, priced at $35,000. "Maybe I'm misinformed, but I was told that 30 per cent of parts must be locally sourced and the supply does not yet exist in India to support that," Musk had tweeted, explaining the delay. However, Make In India's Twitter handle rubbished Musk's claims about stringent regulation.
Twitter Post
Make In India's clarification to Elon Musk
.@elonmusk With respect to news reports on launch plans of Tesla in India being delayed, please note some key clarifications#MakeInIndia pic.twitter.com/9RFICGM9Kk
— Make in India (@makeinindia) May 23, 2017
Musk & China
Despite delays for India, Musk's China plans on track
Meanwhile, Musk's plans for China seem to be on track. On July 12, Musk announced that he had had great meetings with senior Chinese leaders, and was looking to make long-term investments in China. Musk has also signed a preliminary agreement with the Shanghai government for building a Tesla gigafactory that is expected to produce 500,000 electric vehicles annually, thereby doubling Tesla's production capacity.