Our Bureau
Mumbai
Tesla has appointed Sharad Agarwal, former head of Lamborghini India, as its new country leader to boost its presence and sales in the challenging Indian electric vehicle (EV) market. This move reflects Tesla’s shift toward stronger local leadership after slow sales and limited customer interest since its India entry a few months ago. Sharad Agarwal brings over a decade of experience managing Lamborghini’s India operations and briefly served as chief business officer at Classic Legends, a Mahindra subsidiary, before joining Tesla.
Tesla’s previous India head, Prashanth Menon, resigned in May, and Southeast Asia director Isabel Fan had been overseeing India operations. With Agarwal’s appointment, Tesla aims to focus on premium buyers rather than the mass market, confronting issues like steep import duties that push the starting price of its Model Y above Rs. 60 lakh (around $67,575). This price is significantly higher than the Rs. 22 lakh range where most EVs in India compete. Since its sales launch in mid-July, Tesla has received just over 800 orders by October, a figure below its expectations amid India’s slow EV adoption, which accounts for just over 5% of total car sales.
Agarwal’s key responsibilities will include converting early brand interest into meaningful sales, expanding Tesla’s showroom and service network, and enhancing its brand appeal among luxury consumers in India. His expertise in engaging affluent buyers and strengthening the premium automobile presence is expected to help Tesla navigate the market’s challenges, including high tariffs, underdeveloped charging infrastructure, and a nascent EV ecosystem. Tesla’s entry into India had faced delays due to policy and tax issues, and Agarwal’s leadership marks a strategic recalibration focused on local engagement and luxury positioning first, with potential long-term ambitions for broader market reach.
This leadership change signals Tesla’s renewed commitment to accelerating growth in India’s increasingly competitive EV landscape. The company may also explore government collaboration for tariff relief and infrastructure support under his guidance.
