Tesla May Launch New Version of Model Y in India

Tesla, a major player in the international electric vehicle (EV) market, is preparing to launch a new version of its Model Y in India. Tesla, which commenced its operations in the country last year, has been receiving a lukewarm response from customers. Sales for the billionaire Elon Musk-led company in India have fallen significantly short of expectations.

According to a media report, Tesla introduced the Model Y L in China last year. This is a long-wheelbase, three-row version of the company’s standard Model Y. This electric SUV features a six-seat configuration. It is an ideal choice for customers who require greater cabin space. The company’s Model Y L could be launched in India as early as next week. This electric SUV is being manufactured at the company’s Gigafactory in Shanghai, China. Last year, only 227 units of Tesla’s Model Y were sold in the country.

Two variants of the Model Y—the Rear-Wheel Drive and the Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive—have been made available in the country. The starting price for the Model Y is ₹59.89 lakh. The price for its Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive variant is ₹67.89 lakh. To reduce inventory, the company had offered a discount of ₹2 lakh on this electric SUV. In the international market, an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) variant of the Model Y is also available. The Rear-Wheel Drive variant of this electric SUV offers a range of approximately 500 kilometers on a single charge. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.

The Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive variant of the Model Y boasts a range of slightly over 620 kilometers. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. The Model Y is imported into the country as a Fully Built Unit (FBU) from Tesla’s factory in China. Consequently, this electric SUV is subject to heavy import duties. Due to high tariffs within the country, the pricing of the Model Y is higher compared to other international markets. This is also having an impact on the company’s sales. In the international market, Tesla’s sales have declined over the past few quarters. The reason for this is the intensifying competition in major markets such as China. Last year, China’s BYD surpassed Tesla in terms of annual sales.