[kgt.v8]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Tesla cars to be imported from Germany.

Govt. is likely to further slash import duties to aid Tesla's entry.

Attachment 2728176

It looks like Trump is eventually able to push and force reduction in import taxes. While every other country is taxing Chinese cars heavily to promote local manufacture, USA is able to push back and kind of force to reduce import taxes.

If this actually materializes and Tesla starts import from Germany, then I have a feeling that other manufacturers could follow similar approach. I have to go back, read fine print on what this means and try to understand with my small brain.

Skoda-VAG and other manufacturers could only import about 2500 units previously. I assume car manufacturers could import more models built outside of India (CBU, CKD, SKD, etc.) with lesser tax. This would mean some win situations for Indian customers as we could get CBU with better build at lesser prices. It will not be good for Make in India and manufacturing in India in the long run.

[nishsingh]

Originally Posted by fordday

Agree. Who in their right mind will buy a Mahindra over Tesla, if priced in similar territory?

I might.

It will all boil down to each individual car's positives and negatives.

Even if the models are very close in terms of features, I might still go ahead with the Mahindra given the ethos and ethics of the leaders- I would prefer buying Anand Mahindra's car over Elon Musk's car.

[fordday]

Originally Posted by nishsingh

I might.

Good for you.

On another note, the tariff war that is brewing might get us some good quality cars and other items at reasonable prices.

Trump says he will do reciprocal tariff and that will make the other country lower down the tariff on US goods link

[volkman10]

Trump's tariff works for USA as India is his radar. Musk might not manufacture cars here but will resort to imports.



Link:

[Rajesh V]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

The initial euphoria is gone.

That's 100% true. I used to jump at the slightest hint of Tesla's arrival here, now I hardly care. They lost their chance at making a splash in India.

I suppose Teslas are just not as awe-inspiring as they used to be. Everybody's doing what they do these days, if not better.

[SRTPorsche]

I remember I was one of the very few people on Tesla forums requesting Mr Musk to launch Tesla Model S in India back in 2009-2010 right after the prototype unveil and leaks.

The first store I went to after landing in USA was the Tesla showroom. Now I genuinely do not care, not because the cars are not good but the direction they took in the guise of minimalism is stupid.

I feel they are too late to the Indian market, I was and am more excited about BYD launches than any Tesla launch, I would never even think about buying one unless they come up a model that is super VFM.

[SunaPana]

More than Tesla it's probably going to benefit Ford, GM and Stellantis a lot too

[khanak]

This must mean that you'll also be able to import an Indian made vehicle into USA right? This should open the doors for Mahindra, Tata etc to set up shop there.

[Gazole]

What I’m more excited about is that if import tariffs come down for all cars, others will see a big price drop too. Opens up a question if Tesla will remain a viable option in a much more competitive situation.

[RMN]

The voices of us commoners who have been suffering was always ignored, and it took people like Trump and Musk to send across the message to GOI of such high tariffs!

Trump, Musk, if you thinks its too much, imagine what we have been feeling about it.

[PMSreenivas]

Originally Posted by fordday

Agree. Who in their right mind will buy a Mahindra over Tesla, if priced in similar territory?

Many might.
Even though Mahindras Service feedback is a hit or miss, they have service centers all over India right now.
Any service/parts related issue we might face in future on the cars, mahindra has infra in place and can addresss them quickly, where as tesla needs to build theirs from the scratch and it will be quite some time before anyone living in areas other than metros can look at teslas.

[NomadSK]

With everywhere sales dipping for Tesla, grabbing some market share in India is the only silver lining for this guy to keep his shareholders happy.

[PB65]

It's a period of crisis at Tesla and the India entry is more of a Last resort. They have fallen behind in Australia, losing in Europe, surviving in America only due to tarrifs.

You can never compete with the Chinese in electricals and electronics. Their innovation and scale of manufacturing is unmatched and unbeatable. That's the reason why Europeans giants are slowly going back to ICE and hybrid vehicles. All those so called "Sustainable car makers" who wanted to go all electric by 2025-2030 have backed out from their commitments.

On top of that the Chinese are moving swiftly. They do not have any barrier in Asia, Africa, Oceania. Europe knows that their car industry will falter if China takes a step to ban them them in their Market. So they'll never go the distance to marginalise Chinese cars. Even if they do, the Chinese have Stellantis, MG, Volvo, Lotus and what not to bypass any ban or tarrif. And with Stellantis, their US entry seems inevitable.

Cars are not like mobile phone where you can have an Apple like monopoly in the premium segment. When we talk of 50 Odd lakh Rupees and more, tye customer wants good quality, reliability and after sales. Tesla falters on all these parameters in the US, can't trust them to be good in India.

Most probably, after the initial hype (if there's any) they'll eventually fade away. It'll be difficult to fend off BYD, an entry level BMW SUV, and Mahindra s onslaught.

[SmartCat]

Moderator Note: Elon Musk/Trump can be discussed here but let's avoid incendiary rhetoric or name-calling

[aadya]

Our Car companies are essential to feed thousands of families. Tesla at the most will shine shoes of few emerging Oligarchs.