While Tesla is still strategising its India entry and looking for tariff reliefs, the Model Y facelift that was unveiled this January has been spotted testing on our roads. The company has already initiated homologation for the Model Y and the Model 3 in India, so these will likely go on sale here first. The sighting of the facelifted car suggests that the Model Y will be offered in its latest iteration.
- Tesla Model Y gets up to 719km of range (CLTC cycle)
- Is available in two variants: RWD and Long Range AWD
- Tesla India first showroom location finalised in Mumbai
Tesla Model Y facelift spotted testing
Facelifted model improves aero-efficiency and range
Although the test mule is camouflaged, a look at the car’s front and rear lighting signatures suggests that this is the facelifted model. The January 2025 update brought a new split headlamp arrangement with full-width LED light signatures at the front and rear. The facelift made it more aero-efficient, too. On the inside, the Model Y’s rather minimalistic interior is dominated by a central 15.4-inch touchscreen, with the rear passengers also getting an 8.0-inch touchscreen.
The Tesla Model Y is available in two variants: RWD and Long-Range AWD. The former has a claimed range of 719km, while the AWD returns 662km on a single charge, both as per the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC). Tesla claims a 0-100kph sprint time of 4.3 seconds for the AWD car, while the single-motor RWD model does it in 5.9 seconds.
Tesla’s India entry: what’s the progress?
Looking for local partner for manufacturing
The company has already secured a Mumbai showroom on a 5-year lease, and is scouting for a location is Delhi as well. Tesla India Motor & Energy, Tesla's Indian subsidiary, has also begun hiring for customer support, sales and product development roles.
While Tesla plans to bring its first models as CBUs, the company is exploring contract manufacturing instead of setting up a greenfield plant immediately. When it comes to retail, the company’s approach would remain direct-to-consumer, with fully owned retail operations and a Supercharger network, too.
Tesla’s ongoing challenges
Entry into India is very crucial for Tesla because the company is struggling in other markets. Demand has stagnated in Europe and interest in the US is lukewarm, too, thanks to Musk’s right-wing politics. Plus, there’s severe competition in China from carmakers like BYD and Xiaomi. Therefore, it is imperative for Tesla to get its India strategy right, and the key to cracking this market will, of course, be the pricing.
Credits - Sanidhya Bagad
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
