On November 4, Bloomberg reported that Tesla is adjusting its market strategy and appointing a new head of India after a lackluster sales start in India, the world's most populous country. According to people familiar with the matter,Tesla has hired Sharad Agarwal, the former head of Lamborghini India, to head its local operations in India.Agarwal will take over this week and will be tasked with reviving Tesla's plans to advance in this market. At present, Tesla's actual performance in the Indian market has not yet met the high expectations of the outside world.
Tesla’s first store in Mumbai
Unlike the previous model where small local teams were managed remotely from China and other regional headquarters, Agarwal will be the on-the-ground head in India. Tesla Southeast Asia Director Isabel Fan was previously responsible for the opening of Tesla's two stores in India, which opened in Mumbai and New Delhi in July and August respectively. Tesla's former head of India, Prashanth Menon, resigned in May after working in both India and the United States.
People familiar with the matter said,Agarwal's hiring is part of Tesla's strategy to develop a more local presence in India. As of press time, Tesla has not commented on this.