Gurugram centre anchors Tesla’s broader push
Tesla opens its biggest India hub in Gurugram while it faces slow early sales. The facility brings a showroom, charging services and full after-sales support under one roof. Dealership figures show Tesla sells just over 100 cars since its much-publicised July launch.
Sources familiar with the company say Tesla now aims to strengthen India’s wider EV ecosystem to revive momentum. The firm offers no direct explanation for its low sales. Reports show Tesla secures slightly over 600 bookings by mid-September. Only a small share turns into sales once deliveries begin. Rival premium EVs from BMW, BYD and Mercedes Benz post strong results supported by festive demand and tax breaks.
Plan prioritises adoption, charging access and customer care
Tesla prepares a three-step plan to increase adoption, add more chargers and improve customer experience. Analysts note that high taxes and slow EV uptake remain major hurdles in India. Buyers also face the steep upfront cost of Tesla’s models.
At the Gurugram event, India head Sharad Agarwal says buyers can recover up to two million rupees (22,400 dollars; 16,900 pounds) in four years through fuel and maintenance savings. He highlights that remote software servicing cuts ownership costs and home charging costs only a tenth of petrol.
Observers see a cautious but intentional rollout
Industry editor Hormazd Sorabjee says Tesla’s early sales stay low by any measure. He believes the brand adopts a careful entry and expects higher numbers later.
EVs hold less than a three percent share of India’s passenger vehicle market. Charging networks expand slowly, with about 25,000 stations nationwide. Tesla cars charge at home with up to 44 miles added per hour. The firm also develops superchargers that deliver roughly 170 miles in 15 minutes.
Weak demand echoes global softening
Tesla’s India performance matches a wider slowdown across Europe, China and the United States. The company reports lower profits in October despite record quarterly revenue driven by a surge from US buyers seeking a soon-to-expire tax credit. Revenue for the September quarter reaches 28 billion dollars (21 billion pounds), up 12 percent from last year. Profits fall 37 percent due to higher tariff-linked costs and research spending.
In India, Elon Musk shows little interest in local manufacturing. Tesla keeps an import-led strategy despite incentives launched last March to attract global EV makers.
