Tesla Launches First Showroom in India, But Early Supporters Feel Let Down
Tesla has officially opened its first showroom in India this week, and one of its first visitors was Vishal Gondal, a long-time fan of the brand. Having pre-booked a Model 3 back in April 2016, Gondal was eager to see the new showroom in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex. However, he left feeling disappointed and has no intention of buying a Tesla now.
“I felt a little underwhelmed,” Gondal, founder of the fitness-tech company GOQii, stated after his visit. He had been eagerly awaiting Tesla’s arrival in India for nearly a decade but was frustrated by the experience.
Gondal faced hurdles when he sought a refund on his $1,000 reservation fee, which he had to chase repeatedly in 2023. “Trying to get the money back was a problem,” he shared. In hindsight, he remarked that had he invested that reservation fee in Tesla stock, he would have gained more.
Despite their early support, many of Tesla’s initial backers in India are now uncertain about purchasing a Tesla vehicle. Those who pre-ordered the Model 3 have not yet received their cars and have often struggled to receive their refunds. Some, like Gondal, only managed to reclaim their money just months before the showroom opened.
“It’s frustrating to see it take so long. Other companies seem to get approvals much faster,” commented Varun Krishnan, another early supporter of Tesla in India.
Tesla did not inform its early supporters about the showroom opening, leading to feelings of exclusion. The showroom occupies 6,000 square feet in Maker Maxity Mall, specifically located near the first Apple store in India. However, Gondal doesn’t believe the excitement surrounding Tesla’s launch compares to that of Apple’s.
He drove to the showroom in his Audi e-Tron, having waited a long time for his Model 3. “This felt like the coldest launch,” added Amit Bhavani, founder of tech blog Phoneradar, who also pre-ordered a Model 3 in 2016.
Many early supporters feel neglected. Gondal believes that Tesla should have acknowledged those who supported the brand early on through an event or communication.
Some fans, like Kawaljit Singh Bedi, have no regrets about backing Tesla but are in no rush to purchase one now. “After all these years waiting, I can wait a bit longer,” he stated.
Further frustration has arisen from the unclear plans for the Supercharger network in India, along with after-sales service options. Tesla has promised to set up eight charging stations in Delhi and Mumbai, but many are unsure if this will be sufficient.
Additionally, Elon Musk’s recent political involvement has affected perceptions of the brand. This perception shift has led some loyal customers to feel less enthusiastic about Tesla than before. “People used to see Tesla as a champion for the environment, and that sentiment seems to have faded,” remarked Kunal Khattar, an EV investor.
Tesla’s Model Y was launched in India at a starting price of ₹59,89,000 (around $68,000), significantly higher than its U.S. price. The company is importing the vehicle from China, adding to its costs due to tariffs.
The premium car market in India is quite small, representing only 1% of total car sales, but electric vehicles (EVs) are slowly gaining traction. Despite early interest, local automakers like Tata Motors have maintained a stronghold in the electric car sector, leaving some questioning Tesla’s future in India.
Overall, while Tesla’s entry is likely to spark interest in electric vehicles, there remains skepticism about its immediate success in a increasingly competitive market. As more electric options become available, some experts believe Tesla’s presence could help boost sales for other EV brands.
