Tesla, Inc. (TSLA.US) Indian head suddenly resigns, local layout changes suddenly.

According to sources, Prashanth Menon, the regional head of Tesla, Inc. (TSLA.US) in India, has submitted his resignation at a critical stage when the electric car giant is finalizing plans to open its first showrooms in Mumbai and New Delhi. Sources say that Menon, a senior executive who has been serving under Musk for nearly nine years, has decided to resign after more than four years leading the Tesla, Inc. India board. As the chairman of Tesla India Motors and Energy Pvt Ltd, Menon has laid an important foundation for the American car company's presence in India. He established the first local office in Pune in 2021 and led the leasing work for the first showrooms this year. Sources say that Tesla, Inc.'s China team will temporarily handle the business in India, and no successor has been appointed yet. This personnel change comes as Tesla, Inc. accelerates its entry into the world's third-largest car market. Tesla, Inc. has not responded to requests for comment. Menon himself declined to comment. Sources say that Menon is leaving for personal reasons. On the day of Menon's resignation, Indian media reported that Musk's Starlink had just received a key operating license. Analysts point out that this may be related to a potential agreement on reducing car tariffs being negotiated between India and the United States India currently imposes tariffs as high as 110% on imported cars, and Musk, a key ally of Trump, is apparently gaining support in bilateral talks between the US and India. Key strategic moments Sources say that while Tesla, Inc. has obtained retail leasing rights and expanded its local recruitment, its operations in India will be impacted by global restrictions and developments in Tesla, Inc.'s other markets. The final decision on launching operations in India is expected to be made by top management, with Musk retaining control over global market priorities. Tesla, Inc.'s Indian office began offering refunds to customers who had pre-booked its old Model 3 cars as a preparation before the launch of the new models in the country. Reports in February this year stated that after facing several setbacks over the years, Tesla, Inc. plans to test the waters by importing thousands of vehicles into the world's fifth-largest economy.