Automobile
Tesla finally lands in India—but why did it take 9 years? ‘High tariffs, factory demands, and a billion-dollar standoff…’
After years of red tape, policy clashes, and back-and-forth deals, Elon Musk’s Tesla opens its first showroom in Mumbai—here’s the full story behind the long wait and what’s next.
Mumbai, July 15, 2025 – It’s official: Tesla is finally rolling onto Indian roads. After nearly a decade of anticipation, frustration, and policy drama, the American electric vehicle (EV) giant is launching its first “experience centre” in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex. The first model? The much-speculated Model Y, expected to cost upwards of ₹50 lakh post import duties.
But Tesla’s Indian journey wasn’t a straight highway—it was more of a hairpin-laced, bureaucratic odyssey.
2016-2021: A Distant Dream Meets Import Duty Reality
The dream began in 2016, when Tesla started taking Model 3 pre-orders from India, signaling strong intent to enter the market. But years passed, and customers never got their cars—until 2025, when they finally received refunds.
The issue? India’s 100% import duties on luxury vehicles. Elon Musk himself voiced concerns in 2017, calling these taxes “prohibitive.” In 2021, Tesla registered its Indian subsidiary in Bengaluru. Hopes were high when Nitin Gadkari, India’s Transport Minister, stated Tesla would start operations via CBU (Completely Built Units). But nothing moved. The standoff continued.
2022-2023: $2 Billion Talks Go Cold
In 2022, Tesla initiated the homologation process for four models. Local testing of the Model 3 intensified. Yet, the deal-breaker remained: local manufacturing. India pushed for it. Tesla wasn’t ready.
By 2023, Tesla even began hiring locally in Mumbai, exploring locations for a proposed $2 billion factory in Gujarat and Maharashtra. But when discussions hit a wall over high tariffs and local value additions, plans stalled.
2024: A Policy Revolution Opens the Door
Everything changed in March 2024. The Indian government announced the SPMEPCI policy, offering 15% import duty (down from 100%) for EVs priced above $35,000—but only if manufacturers invest at least ₹4,150 crore (~$500 million), and begin local production within 3 years.
This policy was a game-changer, especially with its condition for 25% domestic value addition in three years and 50% in five. Tesla stayed quiet initially as Hyundai and other global OEMs lined up. But behind the scenes, Tesla was preparing its move.
2025: The Arrival, Finally
In early 2025, Tesla ramped up hiring across Mumbai and Delhi, looking for store managers, service experts, and autopilot ops personnel. By mid-2025, everything aligned—policy frameworks, registration windows, and strategic timing.
Now, on July 15, the first showroom opens in Mumbai. A second outlet in Delhi-NCR is expected soon. While deliveries of the Model Y are anticipated shortly after launch, pricing remains steep: ₹27.7 lakh base, with over ₹21 lakh in import duties, bringing the final price close to ₹50 lakh.
Despite the price, Tesla’s entry is symbolic. It marks the convergence of a changing India—open to foreign innovation—with Tesla’s evolving global vision.
What’s Next?
Tesla’s Indian play will now depend on how quickly it can localize production. The SPMEPCI policy only buys five years of import leeway. If Tesla wants to compete with local EV players like Tata Motors and Mahindra Electric, it must commit to a made-in-India strategy.
And if Elon Musk decides to go all-in with an Indian Gigafactory? That could change the game—again.
Automobile
“No Hybrid, No Problem”: This Luxury Sedan Delivers Mileage Rivals Didn’t See Coming
While rivals chase electrification, the Acura Integra quietly becomes the most fuel-efficient gas-powered luxury sedan on sale
For decades, buying a luxury sedan meant accepting one uncomfortable truth: premium comfort and performance almost always came at the cost of fuel efficiency. If you wanted fewer stops at the pump, hybrids were the only real answer. That assumption is now being challenged — and not by a European powerhouse, but by a compact Japanese luxury sedan doing things the old-fashioned way.
The Acura Integra has emerged as the most fuel-efficient gas-powered luxury sedan currently on sale, delivering mileage figures that flirt with hybrid territory — without using any electrification at all. In a segment where efficiency is often an afterthought, the Integra’s numbers stand out in a way that’s hard to ignore.
How the Integra quietly beats the segment
In its most efficient configuration, the 2026 Acura Integra returns an EPA-rated 32 MPG combined, with 37 MPG on the highway. That figure puts it ahead of every other gasoline-only luxury sedan, including the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe.
According to estimates based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data, Integra owners can save roughly $1,250 in fuel costs over five years compared to the average new car. For a luxury buyer, that kind of long-term efficiency is rare — and increasingly attractive as fuel prices remain unpredictable.
What makes this achievement notable is that Acura hasn’t chased efficiency through extreme downsizing or stripped-down driving dynamics. Instead, the Integra’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine is tuned for real-world driving, pairing relaxed highway cruising with responsive city performance. Smart aerodynamics, low curb weight, and careful power delivery do the rest.

Luxury that’s efficient — and affordable
Efficiency isn’t the Integra’s only quiet victory. It also happens to be the most affordable entry-level luxury sedan in its class. With a starting price around $33,400, it undercuts rivals like the Audi A3, Cadillac CT4, and **Mercedes-Benz CLA by several thousand dollars.
Despite the lower price tag, the Integra doesn’t feel budget-minded inside. The cabin delivers premium materials, sharp infotainment, and a quiet ride that comfortably meets luxury expectations. Many enthusiasts point to the A-Spec with Technology trim as the sweet spot, blending efficiency, features, and driving engagement without crossing into performance-car pricing.
Built for drivers who still love driving
Under the hood, most Integras use a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine derived from the Honda Civic Si, producing 200 horsepower. Buyers can choose between a CVT or a six-speed manual — a rarity in today’s luxury market. The manual not only enhances driver involvement but also unlocks features like a limited-slip differential and rev-matching.
For enthusiasts willing to trade some efficiency for thrills, the Integra Type S offers a 320-horsepower turbocharged engine borrowed from the Honda Civic Type R. It’s quicker, louder, and more aggressive — yet still more comfortable and livable than many hardcore performance sedans.
While it may not win drag races against heavier, more powerful rivals, the Integra shines where it matters most for daily driving: balance. Its chassis feels eager, responsive, and confidence-inspiring, proving that efficiency doesn’t have to mean dullness.
Why the Integra matters right now
In an industry racing toward electrification, the Acura Integra sends a clear message: traditional gas powertrains still have room to innovate. It proves that buyers don’t have to sacrifice luxury, enjoyment, or long-term savings if they’re not ready to go hybrid or electric.
For drivers who want premium comfort, real-world efficiency, and a genuine connection to the road, the Integra isn’t just an outlier — it’s a quiet disruptor redefining what a modern luxury sedan can be.
For more Update- DAILY GLOBAL DIARY
Automobile
“VW Makes a Bold U-Turn… Why the Iconic Scout Is Returning as Hybrids, Not EVs”
In a surprising industry shift, Volkswagen revives its legendary Scout brand with hybrid powertrains — as U.S. consumers turn away from fully electric cars.
For the last several years, major automakers have been racing toward an all-electric future. But in a twist few insiders saw coming, Volkswagen (VW) — one of the world’s largest carmakers — is rewriting its own EV playbook.
The company has decided to revive its classic Scout line not as futuristic electric vehicles, but as rugged, long-range gas-electric hybrids. And if early demand is any measure, the American market is applauding the move louder than anyone expected.
A Comeback Rooted in Consumer Truth
According to Scott Keogh — the CEO of Scout Motors — more than eight out of ten reservation holders chose the plug-in hybrid or extended-range versions instead of pure EVs.
“The market clearly has spoken,” Keogh said during an interview, adding that the hybrid can deliver up to 500 miles on a tank while eliminating typical “EV drama” such as range anxiety or charger shortages.
Keogh, whose professional profile appears on , emphasizes that these buyers don’t want to abandon electrification — they simply want a version that fits American road realities.
Why VW Pivoted Away from Pure EVs
VW acquired Scout when it bought Navistar (the successor to International Harvester, Scout’s original parent) back in 2021. The revival was initially planned as a fully electric rebirth — inspired in part by Ford’s successful comeback with the Bronco SUV.
But with EV demand dipping sharply in the United States — especially after former U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to eliminate the $7,500 EV tax credit, calling it the “EV mandate” — the landscape shifted fast.

Meanwhile, sales of large gasoline SUVs surged, and automakers like General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford scaled back ambitious electric truck plans. Even Tesla’s Cybertruck, despite global hype, has struggled to attract mainstream pickup buyers due to towing-range concerns.
By late 2024, VW realized the writing was on the wall: the Scout revival needed to match the American market’s real sentiment, not its projected one.
What the New Scout Lineup Looks Like
Scout plans to launch two flagship models in 2027:
- Scout Traveler (SUV)
- Scout Terra (pickup truck)
Both are expected to start at around $60,000 — and Keogh insists that the company will not slash this price, even without the EV tax credit.
“We’re not dropping $7,500 off the price,” he said confidently. “We don’t need to.”
The strategy appears to be working: Scout has already received more than 130,000 non-binding reservations, with 73% preferring the SUV.
Could the Pickup Truck Be Canceled?
Interestingly, Keogh didn’t rule out cancelling the Terra pickup if the hybrid truck segment weakens further — a move similar to what Ford is reportedly considering with the F-150 Lightning, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
“That’s something we could look at,” he admitted. “But not now.”
Audi May Join the Story
The upcoming $2 billion Scout factory in South Carolina may eventually produce vehicles for Audi, VW’s luxury brand. Audi’s CEO has hinted at a U.S.-centric SUV — with reports suggesting it might share the Scout platform.

Keogh neither confirmed nor denied this:
“We’re capable of building for other brands… but Audi would have to answer that.”
Trump’s ‘America First’ Strategy Accidentally Boosted Scout
Ironically, while Trump’s policy shift is hurting other EV makers, it may strengthen Scout’s “Made in America” narrative.
Scout recently announced a $300 million supplier park in South Carolina, reinforcing its Americana identity. Keogh says the tax credit loss only affects Scout for four years and cannot determine the company’s “50-year decision.”
“You don’t build a brand based on money that may or may not exist,” he said.
A Return to Its Roots
Scout hasn’t rolled off an assembly line since 1980. With its revival set for 2027 — this time as a hybrid symbol of American outdoor culture — VW is hoping nostalgia, practicality, and a changing political environment will fuel one of its biggest U.S. comebacks.
Whether consumers embrace the new Scout the way they once cherished the original remains to be seen — but the early numbers suggest VW is finally speaking the language the American market wants to hear.
For more Update ; DALIY GLOBAL DIARY
Automobile
Elon Musk’s $1 Trillion Tesla Pay Deal Sparks Outrage: “He Has the Board Wrapped Around His Finger…”
As Tesla’s record-breaking compensation plan for Elon Musk stirs global debate, critics call it a “corporate capture” while supporters hail it as visionary reward for unmatched innovation.
It was anything but a typical corporate meeting.
On November 6, Elon Musk — the larger-than-life CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X — stormed the stage to a funk soundtrack, dancing beside one of Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots. “Most shareholder meetings are snooze fests,” Musk quipped, “but ours are bangers.”
Behind the theatrics, however, lies a corporate controversy shaking Wall Street: Tesla’s $1 trillion pay deal for Musk — the largest compensation package ever proposed to a CEO in modern history.
A Billion-Dollar Question: Reward or Power Play?
The plan, initially approved years ago and now revived in new form, ties Musk’s earnings to Tesla’s market performance and profitability. In theory, it aligns his incentives with shareholders. In practice, critics argue it demonstrates something far more troubling — what governance experts are calling “corporate capture.”
According to financial analysts, Tesla’s board — composed largely of Musk loyalists and long-time associates — has effectively surrendered oversight to its chief. A report by The Financial Times described the dynamic bluntly:

“Tesla’s board no longer checks Musk’s power — it amplifies it.”
Even The Economist noted that Musk now wields “near-monarchical control” over a publicly traded company, with little resistance to his personal decisions, tweets, or strategic whims.
Investors Divided Over the ‘Musk Empire’
To Musk’s fans, this trillion-dollar pay plan is simply the cost of brilliance. Under his leadership, Tesla became the world’s most valuable automaker, revolutionized electric mobility, and forced legacy carmakers like Ford and General Motors to follow suit.
“Elon Musk has created industries where none existed,” said one venture capitalist on LinkedIn, arguing that such vision deserves an equally extraordinary reward.
But others see it as reckless hero-worship. Corporate watchdogs warn that Tesla’s governance structure risks becoming a “cult of personality” rather than a responsibly managed enterprise. “Tesla is now more Elon than company,” wrote governance expert Lucian Bebchuk from Harvard Law School. “That’s dangerous for shareholders and for capitalism itself.”
Dancing with Robots, Dodging Oversight
Musk’s flair for spectacle — whether launching rockets, trolling competitors on X, or performing at shareholder events — often blurs the line between leadership and showmanship. His latest performance with a robot wasn’t just viral marketing; it was a symbolic reminder of who controls the stage, both literally and figuratively.
Behind the applause, however, investors and regulators are quietly asking: At what point does innovation turn into unchecked dominance?
The Bigger Picture: Corporate Power in the 21st Century
The Musk pay saga isn’t just about one man’s paycheck. It represents a broader trend in modern capitalism — where founders and tech visionaries command immense influence over boards meant to hold them accountable.

As Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Tim Cook steer trillion-dollar corporations, the balance between innovation and oversight continues to erode. Musk’s trillion-dollar deal, critics say, is simply the most extreme example yet.
The Verdict: “A Banger” or a Boardroom Warning?
For now, Musk remains unfazed. “The shareholders voted. The people have spoken,” he declared with a grin, as applause filled the hall. Yet, beyond the cheers and flashing cameras, the unease lingers.
Is Elon Musk a genius pushing humanity forward — or a corporate emperor rewriting the rules of accountability?
Only time, and Tesla’s next earnings report, will tell.
For more Update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com
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