Latest news with #TeslaModelY
Time of India
4 hours 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."
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
‘Tax-La, not Tesla': Indians react as Model Y debuts with ₹59.89 lakh price tag
Tesla debuted in India with its first showroom in Mumbai, which features the Model Y variants. The long-awaited arrival, however, left many disappointed after Tesla's Indian website showed a significant markup from other major markets. As per the site, one of the Model Y variants is priced at ₹59.89 lakh and the other at ₹67.89 lakh. In comparison, the Tesla Model Y price starts at $44,990 (approximately 38.63 lakh) in the USA. Tesla Model Y Rare-wheel drive is priced at ₹ 59.89 lakh in India. ( What did social media say? Angry, an individual posted, 'If you buy a #Tesla Model Y in India, you will pay around ₹33 lakh to the company and ₹28 lakh to the Government as taxes. If this is not tax extortion, I do not know what it is.' Another joked, 'Almost half of it is Tax. Instead of Tesla, it should be called 'TAX-LA' in India.' A third added, '#TeslaModelY price is doubled because of import duty and/or other taxes. Road tax insurance, GST, etc., will be added. Unless and until #Tesla starts manufacturing or at least assembling in #India, it won't be successful.' A fourth wrote, 'That's a hefty tax burden! Does any country tax its citizens like this?' Why the high price? According to a report by CNBC, Tesla's Chief Financial Officer, Vaibhav Taneja, confirmed that the price components in India also include a '70% tariff on EV imports and about 30% luxury tax.' According to experts, Tesla will compete with premium car segments in India, such as BMW, rather than local EV companies. Tesla's first showroom in India: The showroom is in the upscale Maker Maxity Mall in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the showroom. "We wish to see research and development and manufacturing being done in India. I am sure Tesla will think about it at an appropriate stage," he said.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Auto recap, July 15: VinFast opens bookings, Kia Carens Clavis EV launched and more
The VinFast VF6 will be the mass-market offering from the brand taking on the Hyundai Creta Electric, Mahindra BE 6, as well as the upcoming Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara Check Offers The automotive industry is experiencing rapid changes, which makes it difficult to stay informed about all the latest advancements. At HT Auto, we are dedicated to delivering the most relevant and current information as it becomes available. Below is a concise overview of the key highlights from Tuesday, July 15. VinFast VF7 and VF6 bookings open VinFast India has commenced the acceptance of bookings for the VF7 and VF6 electric SUVs. Prospective customers may visit the official website of the brand, and submit a token amount of ₹ 21,000 to secure their booking. This amount is entirely refundable. The launch of the VF7 and VF6 is scheduled for August. Both models will be manufactured locally at VinFast's forthcoming factory situated in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The VinFast VF6 is expected to be the more mainstream option, competing against the Hyundai Creta Electric, Tata Curvv EV, Mahindra BE 6, and similar vehicles. Conversely, the VinFast VF7 will serve as the more upscale choice, competing with the Mahindra XEV 9e, BYD Atto 3, and others. Also Read : VinFast VF7 and VF6 bookings open, launch to happen in August Tesla Model Y launched Tesla, the renowned global electric vehicle manufacturer, has finally made its entry into the Indian market after much anticipation. The company has launched its most popular Model Y SUV in the country, starting at a price of ₹ 59.89 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). The inaugural dealership for the brand has been opened at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai, and the Tesla Model Y will be offered in both RWD and Long Range RWD variants. The premium Long-Range variant is priced at ₹ 67.89 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). Nevertheless, the manufacturer is not providing the fully autonomous driving feature with the vehicle initially. The full self-driving capability will incur an additional cost of ₹ 6 lakh. Furthermore, the car maker has included a disclaimer on its website stating that the currently available features necessitate active driver supervision. The vehicle is equipped with over-the-air updates as these self-driving functionalities progress. Also Read : Tesla Model Y launched in India at ₹ 59.89 lakh. But will it drive itself? Find out… Kia Carens Clavis EV launched Kia has introduced its inaugural mass-market electric vehicle in India, known as the new Carens Clavis EV. The pricing for the new Kia Carens Clavis EV starts at ₹ 17.99 lakh and can reach up to ₹ 24.49 lakh (ex-showroom). This latest model is built on the localized E-GMP platform and shares its foundational elements with the recently unveiled facelifted Carens Clavis. According to Kia, this new electric people mover guarantees the same level of comfort and a premium cabin experience, all while achieving zero tailpipe emissions. Bookings will commence on July 22, 2025. Also Read : Kia Carens Clavis EV launched with 490 km range, prices start at ₹ 17.99 lakh Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 16 Jul 2025, 06:00 am IST
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Tesla cruises into India, with Mumbai as first stop for its Model Y variant
ELON MUSK'S Tesla, the global electric vehicle (EV) giant, made its official entry into India Tuesday, launching its first showroom in Mumbai and showcasing its Model Y SUV. Inaugurating the showroom in Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: 'This is not just the inauguration of an experience centre but a statement that Tesla has arrived, in the right city and state, that is Mumbai, Maharashtra. Mumbai stands for innovation and sustainability.' The entry marks a close to a long-winding, topsy-turvy journey around Tesla's touted entry in India's nascent and slowly growing EV market, after the company criticised India for having high import duties. The Model Y SUV will come in two variants: the standard rear-wheel drive option with a claimed range of 500 km, priced at close to Rs 60 lakh, and a long range version with a claimed range of 622 km, which would cost close to Rs 70 lakh. Deliveries are expected to begin from the final quarter of 2025. The car can be registered in Delhi, Gurugram and Mumbai. Tesla Model Y will also be able to be upgraded to full self-driving capabilities in the future, which would cost an extra Rs 6 lakh. 'The activation and use of these features are dependent on achieving reliability far in excess of human drivers as demonstrated by billions of miles of experience, as well as regulatory approval, which may take longer in some jurisdictions. As these self-driving features evolve, your car will be continuously upgraded through over-the-air software updates,' Tesla said. Incidentally, the car is twice as expensive in India compared to the US, where it costs around $38,000 (roughly Rs 33 lakh), owing to India's high import duty on completely built units (CBUs). Tesla has no plans of manufacturing in India for the time being, Union Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy had said last month. The announcement of one of its models marks a close to the long-awaited entry of Tesla into India, after founder Elon Musk had criticised the country's high import duty structure. In 2021, responding to queries on social media about Tesla's launch in India, he had said, 'We want to do so, but import duties are the highest in the world by far of any large country!' Import duties in India for such cars can go as high as 110 per cent. In 2016, Musk had announced that pre-bookings for its Model 3 would be available for customers from many countries outside North America, including India. Soon, many customers in India put up a refundable deposit of $1,000 (approximately Rs 85,000 at current exchange rate). However, earlier this year, the company initiated refunds to those who had paid the reservation fee as the Model 3 has been discontinued. After receiving complaints about the high duty structure, the government last year released a new EV policy, easing duty for a limited number of imports for manufacturers setting up facilities here with a minimum investment of Rs 4,150 crore. This was largely seen as an attempt to woo Tesla. In turn, they will be eligible to import a maximum of 8,000 CBUs of electric four-wheelers per year, with a minimum import value of $35,000 at a reduced Customs duty of 15 per cent for a five-year period. The scheme is limited to global manufacturers with a revenue of at least Rs 10,000 crore per year, with fixed assets valued at a minimum of Rs 3,000 crore. Currently, the customs duty on cars imported as CBUs is either 60 per cent or 100 per cent, depending on engine size and whether the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value is higher or lower than $40,000. Where the car costs $40,000 or more, the duty is 100 per cent; a cheaper car attracts 60 per cent. In 2021, Tesla had written to nodal central ministries seeking a reduction in import duties on fully assembled cars and had asked for duties to be cut to 40-15 per cent depending on the price of the car. The new policy effectively fulfills that demand. The government said the scheme is intended to promote EV manufacturing in India, a sector that is expected to grow into a major category within the automobile sector in the coming years. India is currently the third largest automobile market and one of the fastest growing automotive markets in the world. The current market size of the automotive sector is Rs 12.5 lakh crore and the sector is expected to cross Rs 24.9 lakh crore by 2030. The automotive sector contributes over 7.1 per cent to India's GDP. However, despite easing the norms, Tesla has yet to show interest in making its cars in India. The company has massive assembly operations in China, which is a key market for Tesla. Last month, Kumaraswamy said Tesla was not interested in manufacturing in India but was looking at opening two stores. He, however, said global EV makers such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen-Škoda, Hyundai and Kia have shown interest in applying under the ministry's flagship Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India, notified in March last year. Soumyarendra Barik is Special Correspondent with The Indian Express and reports on the intersection of technology, policy and society. With over five years of newsroom experience, he has reported on issues of gig workers' rights, privacy, India's prevalent digital divide and a range of other policy interventions that impact big tech companies. He once also tailed a food delivery worker for over 12 hours to quantify the amount of money they make, and the pain they go through while doing so. In his free time, he likes to nerd about watches, Formula 1 and football. ... Read More
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
'See you at the charging station...': Anand Mahindra welcomes Elon Musk and Tesla to India
Tesla has officially entered the market with the opening of its first Experience Centre in Mumbai's upscale Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in a landmark move for India's electric vehicle (EV) landscape. This strategic location marks more than just a showroom; it represents Tesla's commitment to testing Indian waters and reshaping consumer expectations in a growing EV market. While production is yet to begin locally, the debut of the Tesla Model Y has created a ripple across the auto industry. Famous icons like Anand Mahindra have welcomed the competition, signalling the start of a new era in India's journey toward sustainable mobility. Tesla unveiled its first official showroom, named the Tesla Experience Centre, at Maker Maxity Mall, located in Mumbai's bustling BKC. The showroom offers a direct look at Tesla's futuristic technology, clean design, and innovation-driven ethos. Currently, the Tesla Model Y is the primary highlight: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): Rs 59.89 lakh (on-road) Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive: Rs 67.89 lakh (on-road) Anand Mahindra welcomes Tesla 's entry into Indian market with open arms Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra shared his enthusiastic support for Tesla's arrival. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he posted: 'Welcome to India, @elonmusk and @Tesla. One of the world's largest EV opportunities just got more exciting. Competition drives innovation.' He also revisited a humorous exchange with Elon Musk from 2016, where he had invited Tesla to join India's EV journey rather than leave the field to Mahindra Electric alone. His message: 'The more the merrier—and greener.' Maharashtra aims to become global EV hub with Tesla's arrival Maharashtra government threw its weight behind Tesla's entry. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, present at the Experience Centre launch, expressed confidence in the state's capacity to support Tesla's research, development, and manufacturing. Fadnavis emphasised: Maharashtra's readiness with charging infrastructure and EV policies His 2015 Tesla experience in the US, adding emotional weight to the launch. The government's aim to transform India into a global EV hub. He added: 'Tesla is more than just a car company. It's about design, sustainability, and innovation.' No 'Made in India' Teslas yet as import duties double car prices Although Tesla has begun sales and service operations, the cars are currently imported, likely from its Shanghai Gigafactory. A 24,000 sq. ft. warehouse at Lodha Logistics Park in Mumbai will support storage and spare parts. Tesla has received a trade certificate from Mumbai's Andheri RTO, enabling test drives and demo sales. Union Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy confirmed Tesla has no manufacturing plans in India—yet. Despite the excitement, India's import tariffs remain a challenge. Tesla's prices here are almost double compared to those in Europe and the US due to steep customs duties. Elon Musk has previously: Asked for a 70% duty cut for EVs under $40,000 Requested a complete waiver for more premium models However, India's government declined, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reiterating that EV policy will stay open and not favour any one automaker. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump criticized potential India-based manufacturing as potentially 'unfair' to American jobs. Inside Tesla's Mumbai showroom : Premium design meets EV innovation The Mumbai showroom design reflects Tesla's sleek international branding, with: White walls and minimal layouts Lightboxes showcasing Tesla tech Indian touches curated by architect Neeta Sharada Tesla's message in India is clear: "Experience our cars, feel the future, and drive the change." While Tesla's launch in India has undoubtedly stirred excitement, the absence of a local production facility keeps prices high and scalability limited. But as demand grows and policies evolve, many believe Tesla may soon explore Made-in-India production. Until then, the EV race is heating up. And as Anand Mahindra aptly said, there's 'plenty of road ahead.' Also Read | Simpsons prediction of Labubu doll goes viral: Video sparks fear about creepy toy's dark origins
