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Time of India
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla sets foot in India with Rs 61 lakh Model Y
MUMBAI: Tesla is finally here. The electric car giant run by Elon Musk opened its first India showroom in Mumbai's BKC on Tuesday. Musk had set his eyes on India since at least 2015, but high tariffs, limited flexibility, and charging infrastructure challenges, kept Tesla away from the country, which the company had described as a hard market. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While bookings opened on Tuesday, deliveries of Model Y SUVs, prices for which start at Rs 61-lakh on-road (500km range), will begin in Oct. A 'long-range' (622km) Model Y variant will be available from Jan 2026 with an on-road price tag of just over Rs 69 lakh. For context, BMW iX1 LWB electric SUV is priced at about Rs 51 lakh on-road, and Mercedes-Benz EQA electric SUV costs just over Rs 70 lakh. Users will have a simple 'plug and charge experience' with superchargers adding up to 267km range in 15 minutes. A wall-connected home charger (70km in 1 hour) will be provided with every car. "The Tesla Model Y, available in six colours, is a compact electric SUV with a spacious interior, ample boot space , and a minimalist design. It features a touchscreen interface, 'autopilot' driver-assistance, and over-the-air software updates for the car," a Tesla executive said at the launch. Model Y's features include a bumper camera that covers blind spots during rides. At present, Tesla EVs sold in India will be imported and have limited 'autopilot' features - automatic emergency braking system, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. Tesla's experience centre at BKC, where Apple opened its first store in 2023, is seen as a way to test the waters with its retail strategy - to evaluate consumer interest and market potential. Tesla is now preparing to expand its presence by opening a showroom in Delhi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It plans to expand to other cities as well. Sources said that in the past, there were reports of Tesla exploring plans for setting up a factory in India, but the talks stalled in 2023. Asked about plans to set up a manufacturing unit in the country this time, an executive at the new showroom declined to comment. Musk has consistently advocated for reduced duties to enhance affordability, the Indian govt maintains its stance on local manufacturing commitments. Tesla regional director Isabel Fan said, "It will all be 100% ownership and no franchisee for any showroom. Also, India has incredible talent and we are hiring local people. We have brought here Model Y - the best-selling vehicle in 2023-24."
Mint
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
Tesla dares BYD, BMW, Merc in India's luxury lane
After years of wait, Tesla Inc. debuted its best-selling Model Y electric SUV in India, where it will face off against luxury EV makers like BYD, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The arrival of the world's most valuable carmaker may intensify competition in India's luxury EV market but leave domestic EV-makers untouched, experts said. Tesla displayed two variants at its Mumbai experience centre thronged by visitors, journalists and security personnel. Deliveries of the lower model with an ex-showroom price of ₹ 59.9 lakh begin this quarter itself, while the longer-range with rear-wheel drive model priced at ₹ 67.9 lakh will arrive in the December quarter. Though the public and customers were not allowed inside the showroom for the event which was restricted to select media, dozens of enthusiasts crowded outside in the morning downpour, peering through glass walls and capturing photos. A Tesla employee based abroad expressed surprise at the unprecedented media turnout for at the showroom, which opens to customers on Wednesday. 'We are here to create the ecosystem to invest in the necessary infrastructure,' Tesla senior director Isabelle Fan told reporters. 'It will take some time to cover the whole country, but we're going to start with Delhi, Gurugram and Mumbai.' Tesla said it will set up four charging stations each in Mumbai and Delhi-NCR. Early customers also get a free wall charger for home. For Musk, the world's richest man, Tesla is the first of his several businesses to open shop in India. His satellite broadband business Starlink has received government approvals for launch, and is waiting for spectrum. In India, the Model Y will take on BYD's Sealion 7, BMW's iX1 and Mercedes-Benz EQA. 'With their pricing, Tesla is competing with the iX1 as well as i4 from BMW and BYD's Sealion7. Choices for customers will increase in that segment and hopefully the segment will grow and EV penetration increase in that price bracket,' said Subhabrata Sengupta, a partner at Avalon Consulting. India clocked sales of 107,645 electric passenger vehicles in FY25, up 18% from the previous year. While the number of electric luxury car sales remains small, BYD recorded a 90% jump in sales to 3,401, while Mercedes doubled sales to 1,133 units, according to Federation of Automobile Dealership Associations. BMW recorded a 9% increase in electric car sales to 1,550 units. When a brand like Tesla arrives, it tends to boost the entire segment by drawing curious customers to showrooms, said Puneet Gupta, director at market intelligence firm S&P Global Mobility. 'Due to its premium pricing, Tesla will mainly compete with brands like BMW and Mercedes. With the strength of its brand , technology and the excitement surrounding its entry, the company is likely to see increased interest as consumers look to experience something new and something which is global.' However, Tata Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra, Hyundai and MG Motors may be unscathed as their vehicles are available in the lower price ranges. 'I am confident that in the coming days, Tesla's entire ecosystem will be seen in India and Maharashtra,' chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said at the launch event, also attended by state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik. For years, Tesla delayed its India entry citing high tariffs. In its March quarter earnings call, chief financial officer Vaibhav Taneja called India a very hard market due to the tariff regime. "And especially under the current tariff structure in India, any car we send in is subject to a 70% import duty, plus a 30% luxury tax. So, the same car becomes 100% more expensive than what we sell it for elsewhere," Taneja had said. With India negotiating trade deals with the US and Europe, the company would be keeping an eye on whether there is any relief on tariffs for cars, which can significantly reduce prices of its cars. Tesla manufactures its cars in the US, China and Germany. According to a Bloomberg report, cars sold in India will be shipped from its factory in Shanghai, China.
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Who are Elon Musk-owned Tesla Model Y's rivals in India? Here are key EV players
Tesla's entry in the world's third-largest automobile market began on Tuesday with the opening of a showroom in Mumbai. After delays and policy friction, Tesla's entry is set to challenge other EV and automobile giants like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as well as players like Tata Motors and Mahindra. As Tesla waits to begin its journey in the Indian market, here are the key rivals it will face: While the rear-wheel drive model will be priced at ₹ 60.1 lakh ($70,000), the long-range variant at ₹ 67.8 lakh ($79,000).(PTI) Tata Harrier EV Tata Harrier EV offers instant torque, dynamic precision and an impressive terrain adaptability, with 6 terrain response modes, including normal, rock crawl, snow, grass and sand. It can go from 0 to 100 kmph in 6.3 seconds. With enhanced traction and control it delivers power of 238 PS. In India, ex showroom price of Tata Harrier EV starts from Rs. 21.49 lakh. Mahindra BE 6e Mahindra offers multiple variants (Pack One, Two & Three) for BE 6, catering to different needs of customers. Overall, it offers a semi-active suspension whether navigating on the tough terrains or on a smooth road. It also provides sensors to track the alertness and well being of the person inside the car. The ex-showroom price of this car, according to the website, starts from Rs. 19.65 lakh for the pack one variant. Also read: Tesla enters Indian market with Mumbai showroom: Check models, price, speed and other details Kia EV 6 Kia offers a premium experience in terms of the automobile market and the ex showroom price of this car starts from ₹65.96 lakh. It offers only one variant with the 84kWh battery and claims to deliver range of 663 km. With a fast charging capacity, it charges from 10 to 80 percent in 18 minutes. It delivers a max power of 325PS and has automatic transmission. Hyundai Ioniq 5 Tesla could also have a potential rival from the Hyundai with their Ioniq 5. With the use of a 5-link rear suspension it delivers superior ride comfort and handling. It also offers fast charging that can charge 10% to 80 % in 18 min. It claims to provide a range of 631 kilometres. The ex showroom price of this car is 46.30 lakh. Mercedes-Benz EQA Mercedes-Benz is also a famous name when it comes to luxury cars in India. Mercedes-Benz EQA, can be a potential rival to Tesla, with the ex-showroom price starting from 67.20 lakh, it offers a range of 560 km and a power of 190 HP. In terms of charging, it takes a little more time from 10 to 80 percent in 35 minutes. BMW iX1 The BMW iX1 was launched in India earlier this year with an ex-showroom price of Rs. 49 lakh. It offers an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/hr in 8.6 seconds and a battery size of 66.5 kWh.
NDTV
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Tesla Model Y Arrives In India At Rs 59.89 Lakh: Meet Its Rivals
Tesla is finally coming to India after a very long wait. The US-based EV maker is inaugurating its first authorised showroom in India at the Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. Tesla Model Y will be the first model of the brand to be launched in India. The brand will have the RWD (rear-wheel drive) and long-range RWD variants of the car on sale in India. The RWD variant will come at a starting price of Rs 59.89 lakh, while the long-range version of the car will have a price tag of Rs 67.89 lakh. Here are its key rivals in the Indian market. Tesla Model Y The Tesla Model Y rear wheel drive variant gets the option of both 60 kWh and a larger 75 kWh battery pack in the Indian market. The RWD variant features a single electric motor, producing around 295 hp. Also, the 60 kWh battery claims to deliver a WLTP range of 500 km on a single charge, while the long-range variant claims 622 km. Kia EV6 After its first showcase at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the Kia EV6 was launched in March in the Indian market at Rs 65.9 Lakh (ex-showroom). It gets a single variant, i.e., the GT-Line AWD. It has an 84 kWh battery pack that claims to deliver an ARAI-certified range of 663 km on a single charge. Kia EV6 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Hyundai is planning to roll out the Hyundai Ioniq 5 facelift quite soon. However, the current model of the Ioniq 5 gets a 72.5 kWh battery pack with a claimed range of 631 kilometres and giving out 221 hp and 350 Nm of torque. It is available at a price tag of Rs 46.05 lakh (ex-showroom). BMW iX1 The BMW iX1 was launched in India earlier this year at a starting price tag of Rs 49 lakh (ex-showroom). It has a 66.5 kWh battery pack that churns out a peak power output of 204 hp. Also, reports suggest that the BMW iX1 received over 1,500 bookings, making it the top-selling luxury EV for the quarter. Additionally, sales of BMW's long wheelbase models experienced a 187 per cent rise, indicating a robust demand for larger and more premium vehicles. Mercedes-Benz EQA The Mercedes-Benz EQA gets a 70.5 kWh battery pack, which offers a WLTP range of 560 km. The powertrain makes 190 hp and 385 Nm of peak torque. The Mercedes-Benz EQA is priced at Rs 66 lakh (ex-showroom). Mercedes-Benz EQA BYD Sealion 7 The BYD Sealion 7 gets an 82.56 kWh battery pack and offers two variants in the Indian market, namely RWD and AWD. The BYD Sealion 7 RWD variant delivers 308 hp of power and 380 Nm of torque. The Sealion 7's AWD version electric SUV delivers 523 hp of power and 690 Nm of torque.
NDTV
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Rs 50 Lakh Electric Mercedes Car Erupts In Flames: UK Family Escapes 'Bomb-Like' Explosion
A family in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, in the UK narrowly avoided losing their home after their $64,000 (Rs 54 lakh) Mercedes-Benz EQA electric vehicle caught fire in their driveway on September 30th, according to The New York Post. The blaze spread to the garage and caused smoke damage to the front bedroom of Scott and Georgina Bayliss's home, valued at around Rs 6 crore. Their 17-year-old son, James, alerted the family to the fire. The cause of the fire remains unclear, but it occurred while the car's battery was charging. Firefighters from Eastleigh, Redbridge, and St Mary's responded quickly after multiple 999 calls were made reporting the blaze, as per the newsportal. Fortunately, no one was injured, although the family had to evacuate their home. Scott, 47, said he and Georgina were baffled about the cause of the fire which engulfed their car as the battery was charging. "We were watching TV, and suddenly there was a popping sound. My son thought someone was letting off fireworks, but then there was a very loud bang like a bomb going off. There were flames everywhere," said Scott. "The pace and ferocity at which the fire took hold and engulfed the entire car and pretty much the entire front of our house was scary beyond belief." According to the New York Post,"The family managed to scramble out of the house while Scott tried to put the blaze out with a hosepipe while waiting for the fire service to arrive. One theory is the car, which they bought in 2022, entered a 'thermal runaway', when the battery uncontrollably overheats and is not able to cool down." Scott, who works in food manufacturing, added: "We don't know for sure what's happened, but based on knowledge and video footage, it looks like the car went into some thermal runaway. A neighbour described the terrifying scene: "I was probably the last to hear about it on the block. The fire was going when I got up, and the house was beginning to catch. Flames were coming out the door and window. I was frightened for the young family."
