Elon Musk Says Tesla Not In India Due To 'Challenges With The Government'

Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration have been in talks for years, but disagreements over a local factory and the country's import duties of as much as 100% have led to an impasse

Elon Musk has wanted to sell Tesla Inc. cars in India as early as 2019. Three years later, the U.S. electric-vehicle pioneer isn't really much closer.  Still working through a lot of challenges with the government

"Still working through a lot of challenges with the government," Musk said in a Twitter post early Thursday in Asia, replying to a user who'd asked if there was any update on Tesla's launch in in South Asian nation. 

Tesla CEO Musk and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration have been in talks for years, but disagreements over a local factory and the country's import duties of as much as 100% have led to an impasse. The government has asked the EV maker to ramp up local procurement and share detailed manufacturing plans; Musk has demanded lower taxes so that Tesla can start off by selling imported vehicles at a cheaper price in a budget-conscious market.