Chennai, 23 February (H.S.): Chennai: Electric vehicle (EV) giant Tesla is set to enter the Indian market, and Tamil Nadu has emerged as a top contender to host the company's manufacturing facility.

Tamil Nadu is willing to ‘woo and wow’ billionaire businessman Elon Musk, and convince him to build the country’s first electric vehicle manufacturing unit in the State. However, though TN has the edge over Maharashtra and Gujarat to set up the Tesla plant, those reasons may not matter.

According to sources, Tesla has been scouting for locations in India and has shown interest in Tamil Nadu due to its well-established automotive ecosystem, skilled workforce, and favorable business climate.

Tamil Nadu has a long history of attracting major automotive players, including Hyundai, Ford, and Renault-Nissan. The state's automotive policy, launched in 2014, provides incentives and subsidies to encourage investment in the sector.

The state's infrastructure, including the Chennai-Bengaluru industrial corridor and the Ennore Port, also makes it an attractive location for Tesla's manufacturing facility.

However, industry experts say that while Tamil Nadu has an edge over other states, it may not be a decisive factor in Tesla's decision-making process.

Tesla's decision will depend on various factors, including the central government's policies and incentives, as well as the company's own strategic priorities, said an industry expert.

The Indian government has been actively courting Tesla to set up its manufacturing facility in the country, with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari extending an invitation to Tesla CEO Elon Musk last year.

Tesla's entry into the Indian market is expected to give a boost to the country's EV sector, which has been growing rapidly in recent years.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary