Tesla’s highly anticipated India debut has underwhelmed, with just over 600 orders recorded since its mid-July launch, according to Bloomberg News Reuters. This figure falls short of Tesla’s internal expectations and significantly underwhelms given the luxury automaker’s global sales pace
The carmaker now plans to ship between 350 and 500 vehicles in 2025, with the first batch arriving from Shanghai in early September. Deliveries will be confined to four major Indian cities—Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Gurugram—based on the combination of confirmed payments and Tesla’s delivery infrastructure
Pricing remains a key deterrent. The Model Y is priced around $70,000 in India—substantially higher than in the U.S., given high import dutiel. With EVs comprising only a small slice (4–5%) of India’s total auto market, Tesla’s premium positioning faces steep resistance from both affordability and infrastructure constraints
Why It Matters
| Factor | Insight |
|---|---|
| Demand Challenge | 600+ orders reflect muted demand compared to Tesla’s targets and global benchmarks |
| High Pricing | The premium Model Y price tags limit Tesla’s appeal in India’s price-sensitive market. |
| Infrastructure Limitations | Scarcity of EV charging stations, poor roads, and traffic behaviors deter mass adoption |
| Targeted Rollout | Tesla’s strategy of limited deliveries to core cities reflects a calculated, cautious entry |
