Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India factory plans in limbo as Tesla shifts focus

The automaker will use its existing factories to build new and more affordable vehicles

India factory plans in limbo as Tesla shifts focus

US automaker Tesla said that it will use a current platform and production lines to produce what it called "more affordable" models by early next year.

The announcement from the Elon Musk-owned company suggested that investments in new factories in Mexico and India are unlikely in the near term.


Tesla said the change would allow the company to launch low-cost vehicles swiftly but would result in smaller cost reduction than had been expected and modest volume growth.

The leading electric vehicle manufacturer aims to increase production by 50 per cent from 2023 to its current capacity of close to three million vehicles, prior to considering investment in new manufacturing lines.

"This update may result in achieving less cost reduction than previously expected but enables us to prudently grow our vehicle volumes in a more capex efficient manner during uncertain times," the company said.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Tesla had scrapped plans to launch its cheap vehicle, known as Model 2, which Tesla planned to build in Texas, Mexico and a third country.

The new model had been expected to cost $25,000 and drive Tesla's growth into a mass-market automaker.

Meanwhile, Lars Moravy, Tesla's engineering head, said that adopting new manufacturing processes and production lines carries "certain risks."

He indicated that the company has made a "significant change" by prioritising the use of its facilities to rapidly and efficiently produce affordable vehicles for the time being.

Last week, Musk postponed a planned trip to India where he was to meet prime minister Narendra Modi, citing obligations at his automaker and saying he aimed to reschedule the visit for later this year.

Rohan Patel, a Tesla public policy executive who, according to sources, was one of those leading the company's India entry plans, also resigned last week.

Tesla, however, did not provide a comment regarding its plans for Mexico and India.

Last year, Musk affirmed Tesla's intention to construct a factory in Mexico. He added that the timing would depend on economic conditions and interest rates affecting vehicle affordability.

Analysts noted Tesla's challenge in expanding capacity amidst projections of slowing sales following years of double-digit growth.

(with inputs from agencies)

More For You

u19-t20-wc-champs

India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, winning all their group matches against West Indies, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

India win second consecutive U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup title

INDIA secured their second successive U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup title with a nine-wicket win over South Africa in the final on Sunday. The victory made India the first team to win the tournament without losing a single match.

India chased down the 83-run target with 52 balls to spare. Gongadi Trisha was the standout performer, taking 3/15 with the ball before scoring an unbeaten 44 off 33 balls.

Keep ReadingShow less
Indian-students-Ireland

The deceased, Cherekuri Suresh Chowdary and Chithoori Bhargav, were pronounced dead at the scene. (Photo: X/@allaboutcarlow)

Car crash in Ireland kills two Indian students, two hospitalised

TWO Indian students in their 20s died, and two others were seriously injured after their car crashed into a tree in County Carlow, Ireland, early on Friday, Irish police said.

The deceased, Cherekuri Suresh Chowdary and Chithoori Bhargav, were pronounced dead at the scene. The two others, a man and a woman, were taken to St Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Himesh Reshammiya's silly quest for acting stardom

Himesh Reshammiya

​Himesh Reshammiya's silly quest for acting stardom

IN THE early 1950s, legendary music icon Mukesh was so desperate to become a leading man that he stopped singing for major movies to focus on making an acting breakthrough.

Decades later, Sonu Nigam also tried his hand at acting by starring in a few films. What these two singing stars had in common was that they both failed as actors and quickly realised when to stop. Both quit acting, concentrated on music, and went on to have incredible singing careers.

Keep ReadingShow less
EXCLUSIVE: "Waste of tax payer money"

COST TO THE TAX PAYER: Griffin has spent almost 16 months contemplating the case

Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

EXCLUSIVE: "Waste of tax payer money"

The judge at the centre of allegations of a possible conflict of interest over a case she was adjudicating has removed herself from it, Eastern Eye can reveal.

Last week (21), we exposed how the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) promoted Judge Lynn Griffin while she was hearing a complaint against it brought by the south Asian justice, Abbas Mithani.

Keep ReadingShow less
kendrick-lamar-getty

Lamar won all five categories he was nominated in, including Record and Song of the Year. (Photo: Getty Images)

Beyonce wins Album of the Year as Lamar takes five Grammys

BEYONCE won the Grammy for Album of the Year on Sunday for Cowboy Carter, making her the most nominated and most awarded artist in the show’s history. The win also makes her the first Black woman to take the top prize this century.

Kendrick Lamar dominated the night with five wins, including Record and Song of the Year for Not Like Us. The event, held at Crypto.com Arena, was also a tribute to Los Angeles, which has faced severe wildfires.

Keep ReadingShow less