Archive · 15 Jan 2026
Tesla Struggles with Model Y Sales in India
Tesla brought 300 Model Y cars to India last year, but about 100 are still unsold.
Many people who initially wanted to buy them changed their minds, and not many new buyers are interested.
To sell the remaining cars, Tesla is offering big discounts of up to Rs 2,00,000.
The Model Y is expensive, starting at $70,000, and this has made it hard for Tesla to sell as many as they thought.
Other car companies like BMW and BYD are doing better in India, selling more electric cars.
Tesla sold only 16 cars in the first half of January 2026, while BYD sold 83.
In December 2025, Tesla sold 69 cars, BYD sold 249, and BMW sold 351.
Tesla has around 100 unsold Model Y vehicles from an initial batch of 300 imported to India.
Early buyers have withdrawn bookings, and market interest in the entry-level Model Y is low.
Tesla is offering discounts of up to Rs 2,00,000 on select Model Y variants to boost sales.
The Model Y's starting price of $70,000 places it in direct competition with established luxury brands.
Competitors like BMW and BYD have reported higher sales in India, with BMW doubling its EV registrations in December 2025.
- Who
- Tesla
- What
- Struggling to sell a third of its initial Model Y vehicles imported to India
- When
- Several months after their arrival and into January 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- Due to early buyer cancellations, tepid market interest, and competition from other EV manufacturers
Tesla's Perspective
Competitors' Perspective
Market Strategy
Tesla's Perspective
Tesla is offering discounts to boost sales and clear unsold inventory.
Competitors' Perspective
Competitors like BMW and BYD are focusing on manufacturing and local market strategies.
- Unsold Model Y vehicles
- 100
- Initial imported Model Y vehicles
- 300
- Discounts offered
- Up to Rs 2,00,000 ($2,200)
- Starting price of Model Y in India
- $70,000
- Tesla's January 2026 sales
- 16 EVs
- BYD's January 2026 sales
- 83 EVs
- Tesla's December 2025 sales
- 69 EVs
- BYD's December 2025 sales
- 249 EVs
- Mercedes-Benz India's December 2025 sales
- 70 EVs
- BMW's December 2025 sales
- 351 EVs
Sources
Tesla struggles to sell a third of its initial Model Y models it imported last year, offers discounts: Report
Tesla’s India letdown spurs discounts on unsold Model Y SUVs
Tesla offers discount of ₹2 lakh on certain Model Y variants in India
Tesla sells 225 electric vehicles in India during the calendar year 2025
