‘He Can't Do What Mahindra And Tata Can': Sajjan Jindal Doubts Elon Musk's Ability To Crack Indian Auto Market

Speaking at the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards, Jindal Group MD Sajjan Jindal recently expressed doubts over tech billionaire Elon Musk's ability to disrupt the Indian market.

Jindal Group MD dismisses chances of Elon Musk's success in the Indian market

“Elon Musk is not here. He is in the US,” Jindal said during a panel discussion. “We Indians are here. He cannot produce what Mahindra can do, what Tata can do—it’s not possible. He can do (it) under Trump’s shadow, in the US. He’s super smart, no question about it. He’s a maverick, doing spacecraft and all that. He’s done amazing work, so I don’t want to take anything from him. But to be successful in India is not an easy job.”

Jindal’s remarks come just as Elon Musk's Tesla takes a major step toward entering India.

As per Reuters, the US-based electric vehicle (EV) giant has finalised a lease agreement to open its first showroom in Mumbai, indicating its consistent efforts to crack the Indian market.

“I’m putting my heart and soul into the auto business, and I’m 100% sure it will be super successful; there’s nothing that can stop me,” Jindal said. “This country needs a huge amount of autos, huge amounts of good quality stuff,” he added. 

According to the report, Tesla has secured a five-year lease starting February 16, 2025, for a 4,003-square-foot space in the Maker Maxity building in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex.

The lease starts at an annual rent of approximately $446,000, increasing by 5% each year to go about $542,000 by the fifth year.

The automaker’s move comes after a meeting between Elon Musk and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparking speculation about the company’s plans for India.

Reportedly, Tesla is also scouting locations in New Delhi as part of its broader expansion strategy.

With Sajjan Jindal betting big on the homegrown auto industry and Elon Musk making an entry into the Indian market, an intense battle in the country’s evolving EV landscape can be predicted.

Tesla's Model Y, priced between₹ 60-70 lakh is the automaker's first offering in India and expected to launch in the second half of 2025. 

It is set to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. 

Also read: ‘India Will Set Up National Large Language Model To Develop AI Capabilities’: PM Modi (startuppedia.in)