Indians who prepaid $1,000 to order Tesla EVs ask for their money back as cars fail to arrive
The Hindu
Despite his earlier enthusiasm, in 2019 Elon Musk expressed concern that import duties could double prices of Teslas made in India.
In April 2016, Elon Musk invited Indians to preorder the upcoming Tesla Model 3. Vishal Gondal was one of the first to sign up, paying a $1,000 deposit for a car that never arrived.
The founder and CEO of a health-tech startup called GOQii in India’s financial capital Mumbai, Gondal wasn’t sure when the automaker would launch in India or how much the car would eventually cost. But the Elon Musk fan was excited about the Model 3 and willing to wait.
In the eight years since Tesla’s initial promise to sell cars in India, other automakers have launched their own EVs. But the American automaker has failed to follow through, apparently because of concerns that taxes would make the cars too expensive in India, combined with the difficulties of building an Indian factory if it decided to shift production away from China.
(Unravel the complexities of our digital world on The Interface podcast, where business leaders and scientists share insights that shape tomorrow’s innovation. The Interface is also available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.)
After six years without a Tesla or a clear explanation about the company's plans for India, Gondal bought an electric SUV made by German automaker Audi. He got his $1,000 back in January 2023 with the help of a friend who helped him track down a Tesla sales manager in India.
India is the world's third-largest auto market after China and the United States. But it's unique. The average price of cars sold in India in 2023 was $14,000, compared with $47,000 in the United States. An American can buy a new Tesla 3 for about $40,000. That's the price of a luxury car in India, and buyers would demand excellent after-sales service.
“I think Tesla may be a great tech company. But they just don’t know how to sell luxury cars,” Gondal said.
BTS returns with a massive concert in Seoul, attracting 260,000 fans and streaming live on Netflix.
U.S. airport delays are expected to worsen as TSA staffing issues persist amid an ongoing government shutdown.
Iran-Israel war: Follow the latest updates from The Hindu on the West Asia war, on March 21, 2026
A federal judge blocks the Pentagon's restrictive press access policy, emphasizing the public's right to diverse information.
UK approves US strikes from British bases on Iran missile sites, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeks to avoid war.
Czech authorities investigate a suspected arson at a drone technology warehouse linked to anti-Israel group claims.
Ayatollah Khamenei claims Iran has struck a significant blow against enemies amid escalating tensions and ongoing conflict with Israel.
Trump labels NATO allies "cowards" for not supporting the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, criticizing their inaction amid rising oil prices.
Iran warns that global tourist sites are unsafe for Israeli and U.S. officials, while continuing missile development amid ongoing conflict.
Explore how U.S. and Israeli assassinations have transformed Iranian leaders into martyrs, reinforcing a culture of sacrifice and defiance.
Exiled Iranian writer Shahrnush Parsipur’s banned novella explores women’s freedom amid political repression and cultural patriarchy.
Sri Lanka denies U.S. warplanes access to its airport, balancing ties with the U.S. and Iran amid trade interests.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto condemns acid attack on activist Andrie Yunus as terrorism, pledging to pursue justice.