Tesla appoints former Lamborghini India head Sharad Agarwal as country chief

Tesla has appointed Sharad Agarwal as its new country head in India, signalling a strategic shift in its approach to the local market. Agarwal, who previously led Lamborghini India, takes charge this week with the task of reviving Tesla's performance in a market where sales have so far fallen short of expectations, Business Today reported.

Agarwal's appointment marks a departure from Tesla’s earlier management structure, which relied on a small local team overseen remotely by executives in China and other regional offices. This change follows the resignation of Prashanth Menon, Tesla’s former country head, in May. Agarwal’s role is expected to focus on developing a more locally-driven strategy, with the aim of addressing the challenges that have hindered Tesla’s growth in India, a market with high import tariffs and a slow adoption rate for electric vehicles.

Tesla’s performance in India has been sluggish, with just over 600 orders placed for its vehicles since the company launched in mid-July. By October, orders had increased to around 800 units, but these figures remain low compared to Tesla’s global sales figures. In response, the company has set up pop-up displays in major shopping centres in the National Capital Region, including in Gurgaon, in an effort to boost brand awareness and engage potential customers.

The appointment of Agarwal is viewed as a crucial step in Tesla’s effort to regain momentum in India, where the electric vehicle market remains in its early stages. Agarwal brings over two decades of experience in the luxury automotive sector, having led Lamborghini India through a period of growth and brand expansion. His expertise is expected to help Tesla better navigate India’s unique market dynamics and strengthen its presence in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle space.

With Agarwal at the helm, Tesla is hoping to accelerate its sales in India, leveraging his experience and local insights to refine its strategy and overcome the obstacles that have so far hindered the company’s progress.