ELON MUSK CO-FOUNDER & CEO, TESLA: The OG of EV

TESLA'S INDIA PLAY: THE EV JUGGERNAUT EYES ITS FINAL FRONTIER

- BY PUNITA SABHARWAL

In the world of electric vehicles, there is Tesla—and then there is everyone else. Over the past decade, Elon Musk’s brainchild has transformed from a Silicon Valley curiosity into a global automotive powerhouse, reshaping not just how the world drives but how it thinks about mobility, energy, and innovation. Now, as Tesla prepares for its long-awaited entry into India, the question is no longer whether it will succeed, but how big that success might be.

FROM DISRUPTION TO DOMINATION

Tesla’s story is equal parts engineering brilliance, marketing wizardry, and audacious vision. Founded in 2003, the company endured a series of near-death experiences before its Model S seduced Wall Street and Silicon Valley alike. Today, with a market cap rivaling the world’s biggest carmakers combined, Tesla leads global EV sales by a wide margin. It has also become a cultural icon, synonymous with clean tech, performance, and futuristic design.

From the $35,000 Model 3 to the premium Model X, and with gigafactories across continents, Tesla’s model of vertical integration—from battery production to software control—has become the blueprint for modern auto manufacturing. Its Au-topilot software, supercharging network, and over-the-air updates are years ahead of most rivals.

CRACKING INDIA: A PUZZLE IN PROGRESS