Tesla’s plans to enter the Indian market remain uncertain even after eight years. In 2016, the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, encouraged Indian customers to pre-order the Tesla Model 3. However, despite the long wait, it has been revealed that these orders still have not been fulfilled.

Tesla Customers Unable to Get Their Deposits Back

Vishal Gondal, the founder and CEO of the Mumbai-based health tech startup GOQii, was among the first to respond to Tesla’s call. Gondal paid a $1,000 deposit for the Model 3 and eagerly awaited the vehicle’s arrival in India. However, uncertainties regarding Tesla’s entry into the country and the final price of the vehicle turned this excitement into disappointment over time.

One of the major challenges Tesla faces in entering the Indian market is high import taxes and the requirement to establish a local manufacturing facility. The company has been concerned that high taxes would make the vehicles prohibitively expensive in India, which has delayed their entry into the country for eight years. Additionally, the challenges of shifting production from China to India may have also influenced the company’s decision.

During this long waiting period, other automakers have successfully entered the Indian electric vehicle market. For instance, Gondal, after a six-year wait, purchased an electric SUV from the German manufacturer Audi.

In January 2023, Gondal managed to reach a sales manager at Tesla with the help of a friend and was able to get his $1,000 deposit refunded after seven years. However, not everyone has been as fortunate; hundreds of Tesla customers in India are still waiting to get their $1,000 deposits refunded.

The future of Tesla’s venture into India remains uncertain. The company is experiencing a significant drop in global sales, and concerns are rising about whether its new product, the Cybertruck, will find much market outside the U.S. It remains to be seen what decision the company will make regarding the Indian market.