After Telangana, Punjab and Maharashtra send invites to Musk to set up Tesla’s manufacturing plant

New Delhi: Elon Musk’s tweet about the delay in plans of launching Tesla Motors in the country owing to him “working through a lot of challenges” with the Indian government has been followed by invitations being sent to the billionaire from two more states.

Telangana minister KT Rama Rao send an open invitation to Musk as a reply to his tweet, where the former wrote, “Hey Elon, I am the Industry & Commerce Minister of Telangana state in India. Will be happy to partner Tesla in working through the challenges to set shop in India/Telangana,” is now seconded by two other states namely Punjab and Maharashtra.

Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and Maharashtra minister, Jayant Patil, offered Elon Musk to set up his manufacturing plant of Tesla in their states.

Replying to Elon Musk’s former tweet, Maharashtra Human Resource Minister Jayant Patil wrote, “Maharashtra is one of the most progressive states in India. We will provide you all the necessary help from Maharashtra for you to get established in India.”

“We invite you to establish your manufacturing plant in Maharashtra,” the Nationalist Congress Party leader added.

.@elonmusk, Maharashtra is one of the most progressive states in India. We will provide you all the necessary help from Maharashtra for you to get established in India. We invite you to establish your manufacturing plant in Maharashtra. https://t.co/w8sSZTpUpb

— Jayant Patil- जयंत पाटील (@Jayant_R_Patil) January 16, 2022

On the other hand, Navjot Singh Sidhu replied to Elon Musk’s tweet saying, “I invite @elonmusk, Punjab Model will create Ludhiana as hub for Electric Vehicles & Battery industry with time bound single window clearance for investment that brings new technology to Punjab, create green jobs, walking path of environment preservation & sustainable development.”

I invite @elonmusk, Punjab Model will create Ludhiana as hub for Electric Vehicles & Battery industry with time bound single window clearance for investment that brings new technology to Punjab, create green jobs, walking path of environment preservation & sustainable development https://t.co/kXDMhcdVi6

— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) January 16, 2022

Tesla planned on selling imported cars in India last year and was in talks with the government about lowering import duties, which can be as high as 100%, on electric vehicles before it enters the market.

In July 2021, Elon Musk tweeted that Tesla wanted to enter India “but import duties are the highest in the world by far of any large country.”

Besides, luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz will start assembling the electric version of its flagship S-Class sedan, the EQS, in India later in 2022.