Mumbai: Despite slow sales and stiff competition from rivals, Elon Musk’s Tesla is expanding in India with a new product launch and wide coverage of its service centers and charging stations in the country. On Wednesday, the electric vehicle (EV) giant launched the YL variant of its six-seat model in India, as it targets affluent local families looking to spend on huge cars. Tesla’s India head Sharad Agarwal said the company wants to “disrupt” the luxury SUV market here. The US-based company will compete with players like Mercedes-Benz and MG in the luxury three-row EV category.Tesla, set to enter India with its Model Y SUV in July 2025, delayed market entry by several years due to high tariffs, limited flexibility and charging infrastructure challenges. Despite launching with much fanfare, its growth in India has been slow – data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) shows that Tesla recorded 342 vehicle registrations in FY26. The company is understood to have offered discounts of up to Rs 2 lakh on select variants of the Model Y to clear its inventory. Tesla imports the cars it sells in India, paying huge duties for them, which is why they cost much more here than they cost consumers in other markets.Tesla plans to expand its network of charging stations in major cities besides setting up body shops in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Ahmedabad. “We are building a very strong foundation for the business and the brand in the future, while focusing on building the entire ecosystem in India,” Agarwal said. Deliveries of the new model YL, starting at Rs 61.99 lakh, will begin from this quarter. Currently, EVs account for around 4-5% of total car sales in India.
Tesla expands its reach in India with the launch of Model YL & more related News Here
