Latest news with #Eagle
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla's India plan focuses on abundant caution rather than impulsive courage
The Eagle has landed after years of waiting. For those who made the pre-bookings many years ago, their patience has been tested since the time their (pre-booking) amounts were refunded. The Centre's patience has also been tested: Tesla was not confirming even after getting a favourable electric vehicle policy so tailor-made that some in the corridors of power informally refer to it as the ' Tesla EV Policy '. The wait is finally over and we have the Model Y in flesh and blood in a Mumbai showroom with Delhi scheduled to follow soon too. Time for the early birds to draw out the booking amount! As the company makes headlines even for its most routine actions, like advertising for service advisors in its workshops (a job posting that would go unnoticed if this was any other brand), the hype train is chugging along at full speed. But was it worth the wait? Tesla's triumphs and trials Tesla's success in the US rested on two main pillars: human intuitive technology and a country-wide charging network. The intuitive technology, especially in the 'cockpit', made interacting with the car so seamless that at times it was even labelled 'distracting' for safe driving. Tesla's supercharger charging infrastructure, which extends from the East Coast to West Coast in the US, removed range anxiety and made the decision to own a Tesla even more attractive. All of this, and the promise for newer technologies/ innovations to follow, made Tesla the most valuable automobile company in the world in terms of market valuation, even ahead of the OG players from the US, Germany and Japan. However, nothing is permanent, as the saying goes. Tesla had its share of stumbles: some were self-inflicted and some were by competition catching up. Elon Musk's political involvements hurt sales not just in a polarized US political landscape, but also in Europe. At the same time, competitors, especially from China, learnt the tricks quickly to spice up their cabins and soon leapfrogged ahead of the Tesla juggernaut. Testing Indian waters tactically Some say this backdrop made Tesla take cognisance of the world's third-largest automobile market, India. They had to consider that Indian consumers and the automobile market were very different and unforgiving. If one was to go by the Centre's Heavy Industries Minister, Tesla was not baited by the newly announced EV policy. Many describe it as 'old wine in a new bottle'. Nonetheless, it promises to make the imported cars' prices more competitive today (through lower import duties) if the importing carmaker pledges future investments in local assembly and commits to adding some local components within a specified time frame. Tesla seems to have chosen the tried, cautious, and pragmatic route of testing waters first by importing completely built units (CBUs) and then taking the next steps based on the response. In some sense, this is a very different approach from what we have seen its risk-taking, brazen leader take in the past. Looking at the launch product selected (Model Y) and its launch price, it becomes even clearer that the Indian business plan was made with abundant caution rather than impulsive courage. A back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests that a good 'profit cushion' is built into the customer sticker price. This will likely not just used towards paying the high real-estate rentals for its upcoming Experience Centres but will also give them budgets for brand building aimed at the Indian consumer. Obviously, this sticker price also includes the CBU import duties which pushes Tesla into the luxury car Market in India where 50,000 units are sold annually (a very small segment – just 1.25 per cent of total cars sold in India in 2024). A 5 per cent share of this luxury car market will mean an annual volume of 2,500 units though a more pragmatic estimate of 2 per cent looks more achievable which will mean an annual volume of 1,000 units. Let us not forget, majority of Indian customers are value sticklers, not brand chasers. The wait is over, but is India ready to make Tesla's delay look like perfect timing? Only time will tell. (The writer is former President, Lexus India. Views are personal.)
NBC Sports
6 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Eagles traded me because they're scared of a competitor
C.J. Gardner-Johnson helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl in February, but he was traded to the Texans in March. And Gardner-Johnson thinks the Eagles got rid of him because they don't like his competitive approach. Gardner Johnson was asked on The Pivot podcast why he thinks he's not an Eagle anymore. 'Scared of a competitor,' Gardner-Johnson answered. 'Simple as that.' Gardner-Johnson felt that he wasn't supported by his coaches when he was ejected from a late-season game against the Commanders, and that he was blamed for a postseason practice scrum. In both cases, Gardner-Johnson said he was just letting the competitive juices flow. 'We had a little scrum at practice,' Gardner-Johnson said. 'Nothing, just offense vs. defense, but who's the culprit of it? Me, I guess, because we're competing. Well, you tell me the period is live. You're telling us not to compete during a live period, but it's a live period and we're getting ready for a playoff game?' Gardner-Johnson indicated that teammates have never has a problem with his competitive approach, but coaches and front office executives have. 'You want me to be a leader and outspoken but then you want me to sit back,' Gardner-Johnson said. 'There's nowhere been a locker room where I had a single issue with a teammate.' Now Gardner-Johnson will bring his competitiveness to Houston.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles' stud safety left off an elite NFL list voted on by front office executives
The Eagles are noticeably absent from an elite list of NFL talent voted on by front office personnel. They've been mentioned as having the best roster in the NFL, and that's all been for a very good reason. The Philadelphia Eagles are loaded. We often say that, and it appears to be true yet again. Some say the offseason losses will catch up with them. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thanks to the NFL Draft and quality low-risk, high-reward signings, Vic Fangio's unit will be just as good, if not better, than the squad that embarrassed the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. Philadelphia has a potential star in Ty Robinson. They have a legitimate Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate in Andrew Mukuba. The latter has earned some acclaim as a potential first-year starter, but it appears league-wide recognition must wait. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has been conducting a series of polls, gathering input from executives, coaches, and scouts. This time around, he used the info gained to rank safeties. Baltimore Ravens star Kyle Hamilton topped the list, but Philadelphia is void of any real mention. Yes, you read that correctly. There is not one Bird on the list of ten players. There are no honorable mentions. Nothing... It seems strange because, while Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum, and Lewis Cine are still unproven, it seems that Reed Blankenship could have at least gotten mentioned. Blankenship was left off the most recent Pro Bowl roster, but he started on fire and led vote-getters at safety for a while. It's still hard to vote him into the top ten. Julian Love is ranked tenth and is probably a slightly better player than Blankenship. It still seems like he could have at least been an honorable mention, though. He's on par with many of the other guys who were mentioned, including former Eagle C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Blankenship is in a contract season and is certainly someone that Philadelphia should consider extending. In his first three seasons, he has been part of a Super Bowl-winning team and appeared in 40 regular-season games, including 34 starts. He has notched 225 tackles, eight interceptions, and 19 pass breakups.
West Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- West Australian
West Coast forward Liam Ryan faces test as Eagles push for just second win of the season
West Coast mid-forward Liam Ryan remains in contention for Saturday night's clash with Richmond at Optus Stadium as the Eagles chase their second win of the season. Ryan was listed as a test when the AFL official injury lists were released last night. He missed his third match of the season when forced out of the Eagles' defeat to Port Adelaide with soreness after travelling with the team. Ryan also sat out the club's first game of the season as he recovered from a pre-season hamstring issue and was ill for the round four defeat to the Giants. The 2018 premiership Eagle, who has spent more time in the midfield this season, completed gentle running and skills work at training yesterday at Mineral Resources Park. 'Liam got through main training last week, but presented with soreness on Friday,' high-performance manager Mat Inness said. 'We didn't want to take any risks for last weekend's game, but he trained today and we'll assess him again at our main session on Thursday.' Young key forward Archer Reid will be available after being managed from the WAFL Eagles clash against West Perth with hamstring tightness. 'Archer had some hamstring tightness following the main session last week,' Inness said. 'Being such a young player and having completed so much work, we decided to give him a week off. He fully trained today and will be available for selection this weekend.' The club is awaiting advice on Elliot Yeo while continuing his rehab program from an ankle injury. He is listed as a TBC but remains unlikely to play again this season. Tim Kelly is a chance to return to the midfield this week and add some experience to a young on-ball group after amassing 27 disposals and kicking two goals in the WAFL. Kelly has been played largely as a half-forward for more than a month, but might be required back in the midfield with Jack Graham suspended for another three matches. Defenders Sandy Brock and Bo Allan, winger Jayden Hunt and young midfielder Tom Gross are other players pushing their cases.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Mid-forward a chance as Eagles chase second win of season
West Coast mid-forward Liam Ryan remains in contention for Saturday night's clash with Richmond at Optus Stadium as the Eagles chase their second win of the season. Ryan was listed as a test when the AFL official injury lists were released last night. He missed his third match of the season when forced out of the Eagles' defeat to Port Adelaide with soreness after travelling with the team. Ryan also sat out the club's first game of the season as he recovered from a pre-season hamstring issue and was ill for the round four defeat to the Giants. The 2018 premiership Eagle, who has spent more time in the midfield this season, completed gentle running and skills work at training yesterday at Mineral Resources Park. 'Liam got through main training last week, but presented with soreness on Friday,' high-performance manager Mat Inness said. 'We didn't want to take any risks for last weekend's game, but he trained today and we'll assess him again at our main session on Thursday.' Sport. West Coast Eagles training at Mineral Resources Park in Lathlain. Liam Ryan on light duties. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian Young key forward Archer Reid will be available after being managed from the WAFL Eagles clash against West Perth with hamstring tightness. 'Archer had some hamstring tightness following the main session last week,' Inness said. 'Being such a young player and having completed so much work, we decided to give him a week off. He fully trained today and will be available for selection this weekend.' The club is awaiting advice on Elliot Yeo while continuing his rehab program from an ankle injury. He is listed as a TBC but remains unlikely to play again this season. Tim Kelly is a chance to return to the midfield this week and add some experience to a young on-ball group after amassing 27 disposals and kicking two goals in the WAFL. Kelly has been played largely as a half-forward for more than a month, but might be required back in the midfield with Jack Graham suspended for another three matches. Defenders Sandy Brock and Bo Allan, winger Jayden Hunt and young midfielder Tom Gross are other players pushing their cases.
