Tesla still weighing India entry, says CFO Vaibhav Taneja

Speaking during Tesla’s earnings call, Taneja explained that India’s 100% import duty on vehicles is a major concern, as it doubles the cost of a car and makes customers hesitant.

By  Storyboard18Apr 25, 2025 10:16 AM
Tesla still weighing India entry, says CFO Vaibhav Taneja
Speaking during Tesla’s earnings call, Taneja explained that India’s 100% import duty on vehicles is a major concern, as it doubles the cost of a car and makes customers hesitant.

Tesla’s Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja has said the company is still working out the right time to enter the Indian market, mainly due to the country’s steep import taxes.

Speaking during Tesla’s earnings call, Taneja explained that India’s 100% import duty on vehicles is a major concern, as it doubles the cost of a car and makes customers hesitant. “The same car we’re sending becomes 100 per cent more expensive. That creates anxiety—people feel they’re paying far too much. That’s why we’re being very careful in figuring out when the right time is to enter,” Taneja said, as quoted by Reuters.

The update comes just days after Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed he will visit India later this year. The company is gearing up to launch its electric vehicles in the country, having recently leased its first showroom space in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex. Tesla has also advertised over 20 job roles in India and, according to customs records, has shipped Model Y units from Germany at a declared value of $46,000 per vehicle.

These developments come amid ongoing efforts by India and the United States to reduce trade barriers, including talks around import duties and broader economic cooperation.

Meanwhile, Tesla is facing financial pressure. The company reported a sharp 71% drop in net profit year-on-year, earning $409 million for the January–March quarter. Revenue also slipped 9% to $19.34 billion, as the company deals with increased competition and slowing EV demand in key markets.

First Published on Apr 25, 2025 10:16 AM

More from Storyboard18

Brand Marketing

Campaign turnaround down 70%, production costs cut by 85%: How Indian brands are letting AI take over creative wheel

Campaign turnaround down 70%, production costs cut by 85%: How Indian brands are letting AI take over creative wheel

Brand Marketing

'40% of spends are on digital media; Over 12,000 influencers collaborate with our brands': HUL's Nitin Paranjpe

'40% of spends are on digital media; Over 12,000 influencers collaborate with our brands': HUL's Nitin Paranjpe

Brand Marketing

HUL hikes influencer spends by 40%, ropes in 12,000 creators in FY25

HUL hikes influencer spends by 40%, ropes in 12,000 creators in FY25

Brand Marketing

Amazon wins case against Future Group, Singapore tribunal awards paltry amount in damages

Amazon wins case against Future Group, Singapore tribunal awards paltry amount in damages

Brand Marketing

Rosé and redundancies: Big tech, big ad spend, and the cost of Cannes amid mass layoffs

Rosé and redundancies: Big tech, big ad spend, and the cost of Cannes amid mass layoffs

Brand Makers

Zohran Mamdani's Bollywood-powered campaign wins NYC Mayoral primary

Zohran Mamdani's Bollywood-powered campaign wins NYC Mayoral primary

How it Works

Sports Ministry approves inaugural edition of Indian Golf Premier League

Sports Ministry approves inaugural edition of Indian Golf Premier League

Brand Marketing

DS Group eyes Rs 1,000 crore milestone for Pulse candy with multi-format expansion plan

DS Group eyes Rs 1,000 crore milestone for Pulse candy with multi-format expansion plan