TESLA NAMES FORMER LAMBORGHINI INDIA HEAD SHARAD AGARWAL TO LEAD OPERATIONS

The move signals Tesla’s renewed push to build its India presence and revive electric vehicle sales amid sluggish demand

Tesla Inc. has appointed Sharad Agarwal, former head of Lamborghini India, as its new country head — a strategic step to strengthen the company’s footing in the Indian market after a slow start.

Agarwal will oversee Tesla’s local operations and lead the development of a long-term India strategy, according to people familiar with the matter. His appointment marks a shift from the earlier structure where a small team was managed remotely from China and regional hubs.

A veteran of India’s luxury automotive sector, Agarwal previously served as chief business officer at Mahindra & Mahindra’s Classic Legends. At Lamborghini India, he expanded the supercar brand’s reach from major metros to over 60 cities, with smaller markets contributing nearly a quarter of total sales.

Tesla’s India journey, however, remains challenging. Since beginning sales in mid-July, the company has received around 800 orders, a figure that equals Tesla’s global sales roughly every four hours. High import duties have pushed the entry-level Model Y above ₹60 lakh ($67,500), far beyond the ₹22 lakh price range of most electric cars sold in India.

Agarwal succeeds Prashanth Menon, who stepped down in May. Tesla’s Southeast Asia Director, Isabel Fan, has been overseeing Indian operations and the launch of Tesla’s first two stores in Mumbai and New Delhi earlier this year.

With Agarwal at the helm, Tesla aims to convert growing curiosity into meaningful sales while navigating regulatory hurdles and India’s slow electric vehicle adoption curve.