Tesla has begun refunding the booking amounts to customers in India who had reserved the Model 3 electric sedan years ago. This development follows the company’s shift to discontinuing the older generation Model 3 and promoting its new generation EV lineup.
Beyond simply returning reservation fees, the move is being widely seen as a strong signal that Tesla’s long-anticipated entry into the Indian market is drawing closer—an event eagerly awaited in India’s booming automobile sector.
According to Bloomberg, Tesla recently started issuing refunds to customers who had made bookings as far back as 2016. In an email to these customers, Tesla wrote, “We would like to return your reservation fee for the time being,” while assuring them, “When we finalize our offerings in India, we will reach out again. We hope to see you back with us once we are ready to launch and deliver in your country.”
This action has fueled renewed speculation that Tesla is preparing for an official launch in India, the world’s third-largest automobile market. Analysts suggest this refund initiative is part of clearing the slate before the company rolls out its new models, especially after years of delay attributed to India’s high import duties.