Indian American entrepreneur Vivek Wadhwa criticized billionaire Elon Musk’s decision to opt for China over India for Tesla’s manufacturing unit, calling it a potential loss for Musk. Wadhwa’s remarks were shared on a social media platform, where he highlighted previous warnings he had given to Musk regarding the risks of operating in China and the advantages of considering India for manufacturing.
Wadhwa’s comments came in response to a post by Theresa Fallon, Director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies, discussing the challenges faced by US and European automakers in China and the consequences of transferring technology and know-how to the country.
Elon is going to be the biggest loser here.
A few years ago, I exchanged emails with him about the risks in China. I warned him they would rob him blind and urged him to consider moving manufacturing to India instead, where he would have dominated the market by now. https://t.co/yohQBhz2JN
— Vivek Wadhwa (@wadhwa) May 12, 2024
Wadhwa’s post received significant attention, with many users supporting his viewpoint. Some users pointed out India’s growing market potential for electric vehicles (EVs) and compared it to Tesla’s success in China.
The discussion around Tesla’s manufacturing plans in India versus China intensified after Musk canceled his planned visit to India and later visited China. During his visit to China, Musk secured concessions for Tesla and met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, leading to advancements in Tesla’s operations in the country.
Musk’s decision to prioritize China for Tesla’s manufacturing operations has sparked debates about the strategic advantages and challenges of operating in different global markets, especially in the context of the rapidly evolving EV industry.
The dynamics between Tesla, India, and China continue to attract attention as stakeholders assess the implications of such strategic decisions on market penetration, technological advancements, and global competitiveness in the automotive sector.
