As Tesla struggles with falling sales globally, CEO Elon Musk looks toward India, planning a Mumbai showroom and manufacturing plant in Maharashtra.
By Aniket Chakraborty
Apr 2, 2025
Tesla has delayed its India entry for years, giving Indian EV makers time to strengthen their position in the market.
2
Reports suggest Tesla's global rival BYD may be planning to set up a manufacturing factory in Telangana, though this remains unconfirmed.
3
Image Credit | @BYDGlobal | X
BYD previously stated it would follow an "import-only strategy" in India, but company executives have since indicated manufacturing plans are under constant evaluation.
4
Tesla faces competition not just from BYD but also established Indian players like Mahindra, Tata, and the JSW-MG Motor joint venture.
5
BYD has overtaken Tesla globally, recording $107.2 billion in revenue for 2024 compared to Tesla's $97.7 billion.
6
Recent comments by Prime Minister Modi suggest a potential thaw in India-China relations, which could ease BYD's path to manufacturing in India.
7
In China, Tesla's sales dropped 49.2% in February while BYD saw a 90.4% increase in passenger vehicle sales.
8
BYD has intensified competition with smart EVs priced below $10,000, prompting other manufacturers to follow with affordable alternatives.
9
In price-conscious India, BYD's range of cost-effective yet efficient electric vehicles could potentially outperform Tesla significantly.