Tesla’s Long-Awaited India Debut Fails to Impress Its Earliest Loyalists
Tesla has officially entered the Indian market with the launch of its first showroom in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex. But rather than being welcomed with excitement, the launch has sparked disappointment — especially among Tesla’s earliest Indian supporters, many of whom had reserved a Model 3 nearly a decade ago.
Despite finally delivering a product, Tesla seems to have lost the emotional connection it once enjoyed with Indian tech enthusiasts.
A Decade of Loyalty, Forgotten
In 2016, Indian Tesla fans were among the first in the world to place reservations for the Model 3, paying a $1,000 deposit based purely on trust in Elon Musk’s vision. People like Vishal Gondal, founder of GOQii, were early adopters — booking the car within hours of the global announcement.
However, nine years later, that early excitement has turned into indifference. Gondal visited the new Mumbai showroom on launch day but now has no plans to purchase the car he waited nine years for.
“I felt a little bit underwhelmed,” Gondal said, adding that the refund process for his deposit had been frustrating and unprofessional.
Poor Communication and No Community Recognition
Many early reservation holders said they were not invited to the showroom opening or given any updates about Tesla’s launch in India. No special event, no direct emails — nothing.
Amit Bhawani of PhoneRadar, another early backer, shared a similar experience. He had to publicly criticize Tesla in a YouTube video in 2020 to finally receive his refund.
Watch the video here: YouTube – Why Tesla Failed in India
“The love turned into hate,” Bhawani said. “It wasn’t about the money — it was about feeling ignored.”
Others like Varun Krishnan of FoneArena and Vijay Shekhar Sharma of Paytm echoed these sentiments, stating they no longer feel inclined to buy a Tesla after such a long, disconnected wait.
One of India’s most passionate Tesla communities, Tesla Club India, also expressed disappointment in how loyalists were treated. You can explore their community and timeline here: www.teslaclub.in
A Cold Launch with Premium Pricing
Tesla has launched the Model Y in India, priced at ₹59.89 lakh (~$68,000). The car is being imported as a Completely Built-Up Unit (CBU) from China, which means high import duties are inflating its price far above its U.S. base price of $44,990.
The Mumbai showroom, located at Maker Maxity Mall near Apple’s flagship store, failed to create the same buzz that surrounded Apple’s launch.
“There’s a world of difference between Apple’s launch and Tesla’s,” Gondal noted, who showed up to the Tesla showroom in his Audi e-Tron — a car he purchased while waiting for Tesla.
Lack of Infrastructure Raises Concerns
Tesla has promised to install eight Superchargers split between Mumbai and Delhi before beginning deliveries in Q3. However, there’s little clarity on after-sales service, maintenance support, or nationwide charging infrastructure.
“I’m older now and more practical,” said Krishnan. “Back then I fell for the Tesla brand. Now I care more about convenience and support.”
Kawaljit Singh Bedi of Frammer AI, who also got a refund after nearly nine years, added:
“Why be in a rush now? I waited nine years; I can wait nine years and six more months.”
Elon Musk’s Changing Public Image Is a Turnoff
For some Indian buyers, Elon Musk himself is no longer the draw he once was. His political alignment, public feuds, and controversial commentary — especially his perceived closeness to Donald Trump — have turned some loyal fans into skeptics.
Recent clashes, like Musk’s friction with Trump over budget and tax issues, have only added to the discomfort. You can read more in these recent reports:
- Bloomberg: Musk-Trump clash puts empire at risk
- AP News: Musk’s political tangle over robotaxi and tax bills
“Tesla was supposed to be saving the planet. Now it just feels like any other company,” said Kunal Khattar, an EV investor who attended the launch and called it “underwhelming.”
Tesla Faces Tough Competition in the Indian EV Market
Tesla is entering a premium EV market that is still very niche in India — only 1% of car sales fall into the ₹35 lakh to ₹1 crore segment. Within that, electric vehicles account for just 10%.
Still, that small pie is growing fast. According to Counterpoint Research, premium EV sales in India surged 66% year-over-year in the first half of 2025.
Brands like Tata Motors, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and MG (now partnered with JSW) are already building a presence. And Tesla’s high pricing, lack of local manufacturing, and limited support may keep it from gaining a foothold — at least for now.
“Tesla’s price point won’t dent the other luxury brands,” said Abhik Mukherjee, analyst at Counterpoint. “If anything, Tesla may raise awareness for EVs in general, helping competitors more than itself.”
A Missed Opportunity to Build Trust
What hurts the most for early fans isn’t the delay — it’s the lack of acknowledgment. People who supported Tesla when it had zero presence in India, who waited patiently for years, now feel like they’ve been ghosted.
Arun Bhatt, founder of Tesla Club India, summed it up well:
“You wait ten years for a car, and when it finally launches, they just refund your money and move on? No special communication, no invite, no recognition? That’s disappointing.”
Final Thoughts: Not the Launch Tesla’s Loyalists Deserved
Tesla’s arrival in India should have been a milestone event. Instead, it feels like a case study in how not to treat your most loyal customers. With rising EV competition, a more mature consumer base, and Musk’s public perception under scrutiny, Tesla’s Indian journey won’t be easy.
To truly win in India, Tesla will need more than brand hype — it will need local manufacturing, infrastructure investment, and most importantly, a renewed focus on people over publicity.
