- One of the most significant innovations of the century is the emphasis laid on producing environmentally friendly mobility for humankind in the form of electric vehicles or battery-driven vehicles. Of course, the urgency shown by concerned stakeholders around the globe, following a disconcerting rise in environmental degradation that could lead to catastrophic consequences, prompted global leadership to step in and address this anomaly on a war footing. The global community has witnessed the vagaries of the weather due to unseasonal patterns, leaving us at the mercy of nature’s backlash. Thus, to mitigate further debilitating effects on humanity, EVs were considered a revolutionary invention that would cushion the weather fallout.
PC : The Times of India
- Elon Musk’s Tesla EVs were a boon in this direction, offering humanity not only a safe mobility option but also meaningfully contributing to lessening the burden on the increasingly fragile environment. However, Tesla’s presence in India was always on the fringe, with nothing concrete emerging despite efforts made from both sides for EVs to establish a presence here. Those concerted efforts are yielding results now, what with Musk’s Tesla finally launching operations in India last week. Although welcome, and subscribing to the oft-quoted maxim ‘better late than never,’ Tesla could have been introduced in India at least a decade ago. That would have served Musk better rather than a late entry when other players are already far ahead in the race.
PC : Reuters
- The world’s largest manufacturer of battery-electric cars now has a showroom in Mumbai, and a little more. Reports say six fully built Tesla Model Ys are on the way from Shanghai. On-road prices start around Rs 61L, placing the midsize SUV in the luxury segment where the likes of Mercedes, BMW, and Volvo will keep it company. But this segment amounted to only 50,000 units last year, of which 75% were petrol or diesel vehicles. And sales in the first six months have been weak. Tesla’s fighting for a pie that amounts to 10,000-12,000 units per year, and analysts expect it to sell not more than 200-300 units per month. Which amounts to nothing, considering that it sold about 1.8mn cars globally in 2024. So, what’s Musk’s plan then?
PC : Quartz
- Some see it as an attempt to gauge the Indian market. As far as brand-building goes, Tesla is too well-known already. Back in 2016, when it was a much smaller company, and Musk’s net worth was less than $12bn, Indian tycoons proudly announced they had booked the newly launched Model 3 online. The cars didn’t materialize, but fans kept faith. Musk also maintained India was on his mind. Winter arrived, and one man imported a Model X on his own – its eight-year battery warranty would be running out now. So, brand strength has never been Tesla’s problem. What it needs is a business plan, and 10 years ago, Musk had a stronger one. Will it work in the altered scenario now? Let’s wait and watch how Tesla will beat the competition and position itself here.
