In a major leadership shake-up, Tesla’s India operations got a significant lift in early November 2025 when the company appointed Sharad Agarwal as its new country head. Agarwal comes from Lamborghini India, where he spent nearly a decade building the luxury brand into a market leader. He replaces Prashanth Menon, who resigned in May 2025 after the company restructured its India and US operations. The appointment marks Tesla’s shift toward having permanent, on-the-ground leadership in India rather than managing operations remotely from China and regional hubs.
Tesla appoints luxury automotive veteran Sharad Agarwal as India country head, signaling commitment to permanent on-ground leadership over remote management.
Agarwal’s track record in luxury vehicles makes him a strategic fit for Tesla’s current approach. Under his leadership at Lamborghini, the brand expanded to over 60 Indian cities and achieved something notable: 25 percent of sales came from smaller, non-metro markets. This know-how aligns perfectly with Tesla’s goal to target premium buyers who can afford its Model Y, priced above Rs 60 lakh due to import tariffs. Most recently, Agarwal joined Classic Legends as chief business officer before his appointment to Tesla, adding experience in scaling automotive operations across diverse market segments. Agarwal is expected to focus on navigating high import tariffs and other infrastructure challenges that have constrained Tesla’s market entry.
The luxury focus makes sense given India’s high price sensitivity in the broader automotive market, where typical electric cars cost around Rs 22 lakh. Tesla owners benefit from charging costs that are three to five times lower than gasoline expenses, which could be a compelling factor for premium buyers despite the higher upfront investment.
Tesla’s India launch in mid-July 2025 has already shown promise, with over 600 orders placed by August and roughly 800 by October. That’s impressive considering the company faces significant obstacles. High import tariffs substantially increase vehicle costs. India’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure remains limited. The overall adoption rate for EVs across the country’s still slow. Protectionist policies create barriers for foreign automakers entering the market.
Agarwal’s responsibilities now include converting early interest into actual sales, developing India-specific business strategies, and steering the country’s complex regulatory terrain. He’s also overseeing expanded marketing efforts, including mall pop-ups in the National Capital Region, to build brand presence beyond major cities.
The appointment signals Tesla’s commitment to deeper market integration. Rather than managing India remotely, the company’s betting that having a permanent country head with luxury automotive savvy will release growth in one of the world’s most challenging but potentially rewarding markets.