JSW Steel Managing Director Sajjan Jindal asserted that Tesla CEO Elon Musk will struggle to compete with Indian automakers, downplaying the notion of Musk disrupting the Indian market. “Elon Musk is not here. He is in the US… we Indians are here. He cannot produce what Mahindra can do, what Tata can do—it’s not possible,” Jindal remarked during the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
He acknowledged Musk’s accomplishments and credited former US President Donald Trump as well. “He (Musk) can thrive under Trump’s influence in the US. He’s incredibly intelligent, no doubt about it. He’s a visionary, involved in space exploration and more. He’s done remarkable work, so I don’t want to undermine his achievements. However, succeeding in India is quite challenging,” Jindal added.
Following Jindal’s comments, social media users expressed a range of reactions, with many criticizing his viewpoint. One user remarked, “Good entertainment. How much do these companies invest in R&D? One company I see still makes the three-wheeler since my childhood, and I’m already a confirmed social media user!”
Another user noted, “A decade ago, similar doubts were raised about @elonmusk by US industrialists, automakers, and even NASA—and they were all proven wrong. You can’t defeat someone who relentlessly pursues their goals despite setbacks. Think twice before forming conclusions.”
Conversely, some users supported Jindal’s perspective. One stated, “Tesla is exorbitantly expensive. He will be competing in a different league. The mass market will be different. Healthy competition will enhance our capabilities. We definitely support Tata and Mahindra. Tesla will only capture a small market.”
Another user reflected on historical context, saying, “He could be right. If you consider the past, look at why General Motors and Ford closed their operations in India. The Indian market is more aligned with Asian cars like those from Japan or South Korea, rather than American or European brands.”
Jindal’s remarks come in light of Tesla’s recent lease agreement for a showroom in Mumbai, which has been reported to span five years starting from February 16.