Tesla Taps Former Lamborghini Chief to Lead India Sales Push

Tesla Inc. has appointed Sharad Agarwal, former head of Lamborghini India, to lead its operations in the country, as per the news reports. This will be a change in how the company manages its India business, which was earlier overseen remotely by regional teams in China and Southeast Asia. Agarwal’s appointment comes as Tesla looks to revive its plans in one of the world’s largest automobile markets.

Local Management Structure

With Agarwal taking charge, Tesla will now have an on-ground leader in India. Earlier, operations were managed by Isabel Fan, Tesla’s director for Southeast Asia, who supervised the launch of its first 2 showrooms in Mumbai and New Delhi earlier this year. 

The company’s previous India head, Prashanth Menon, stepped down in May after handling operations from both India and the US.

Market Response & Sales

Tesla began taking orders in India in mid-July, but sales have been limited. The company received a little over 600 orders by September, which increased to more than 800 by October, according to people familiar with the matter. 

The entry-level Model Y costs over ₹60 lakh ($67,575) due to high import duties. Most EVs sold in India are priced around ₹22 lakh, based on data from JATO Dynamics.

Challenges in the Indian Market

India’s electric vehicle market remains small, with EVs accounting for just above 5% of total car sales. High import taxes and limited charging infrastructure continue to affect demand. Tesla has set up temporary displays in shopping malls around the National Capital Region, including Gurgaon, to increase awareness about its products.

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Agarwal’s Previous Roles

Before joining Tesla, Agarwal led Lamborghini India for nearly a decade under Volkswagen AG. He helped the brand expand its network to more than 60 cities, with smaller towns contributing about a quarter of total sales. In 2024, he joined Mahindra & Mahindra’s Classic Legends as chief business officer before moving to Tesla.

Conclusion 

The leadership change indicates Tesla’s renewed attempt to build a stable presence in India while addressing challenges around pricing, demand, and local market conditions.

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