Eight years ago, Anand Mahindra extended a public invitation to Elon Musk on Twitter that would become one of the most prescient business predictions in Indian automotive history. Today, as Tesla officially opens its first showroom in Mumbai, that bold 2017 invitation has finally come to fruition.
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The Invitation That Started It All
Back in June 2017, when Tesla was still a distant dream for Indian consumers, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra took to Twitter with a playful yet strategic message to Elon Musk. “Time you got out here Elon. You don’t want to leave that whole market to Mahindra do you??” he tweeted, challenging the Tesla CEO to enter the Indian electric vehicle market.
This wasn’t just casual banter between two automotive giants. Musk, who is Tesla chief executive, had earlier lauded India’s vision 2030 for electric vehicles. Mahindra’s invitation was perfectly timed, coming at a moment when India was beginning to seriously consider electric mobility as the future of transportation.
A Visionary’s Patience Pays Off
What made Mahindra’s 2017 invitation remarkable wasn’t just its boldness, but its timing. While most Indian automotive leaders were still focused on traditional combustion engines, Mahindra was already thinking eight years ahead. He understood that competition drives innovation, and having Tesla in India would elevate the entire electric vehicle ecosystem.
Anand Mahindra tweets to Elon Musk. Urges Tesla to enter India soon. This wasn’t an act of desperation but strategic foresight. Mahindra knew that Tesla’s entry would validate the electric vehicle market in India and create the infrastructure needed for all EV manufacturers to thrive.
The Gracious Welcome in 2025
Fast forward to July 2025, and Mahindra’s prediction has become reality. Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra on Tuesday extended a public welcome to Elon Musk and Tesla following the company’s formal entry into India with its first Experience Centre in Mumbai.
True to his character, Mahindra didn’t view Tesla’s arrival as a threat but as validation of his long-term vision. His recent response to Tesla’s Mumbai showroom launch demonstrates the confidence of a leader who saw this moment coming years ago.
“Competition Drives Innovation”
Mahindra’s approach to Tesla’s entry reveals a fundamental business philosophy that has kept his company relevant for decades. Rather than fearing competition, he embraces it as a catalyst for innovation. This mindset has helped Mahindra navigate previous challenges when global automotive brands entered the Indian market.
Global automobile brands like Daewoo, Ford, General Motors, and Hyundai brought advanced technologies and designs to the market. Despite this, Mahindra’s company remained strong in the industry. His experience with previous market entries prepared him for Tesla’s arrival.
The Twitter Exchange That Defined a Decade
The 2017 Twitter exchange between Mahindra and Musk represents more than just social media engagement—it showcases how modern business leaders use platforms to shape industry narratives. From Mahindra to Musk, Twitter becomes a platform for CEO exchange of electric vehicle manufacture.
Mahindra’s consistent engagement with Musk over the years, from supportive messages during Tesla’s production challenges to playful references about India’s historical “Tesla” vehicles, demonstrates relationship-building in the digital age.
Looking Forward: The Charging Station Meeting
As Tesla begins its Indian journey with the Mumbai showroom, Mahindra’s vision of a collaborative rather than combative relationship with global players sets the tone for India’s EV future. His approach suggests that success in the electric vehicle market isn’t about defeating competitors but about growing the entire ecosystem.
The story of Mahindra‘s 2017 invitation to Musk perfectly encapsulates the patience, vision, and strategic thinking required for long-term business success. What started as a tweet has become a testament to the power of thinking ahead and welcoming competition as a driver of progress.
Today, as Tesla customers in Mumbai experience their first test drives, they’re participating in a moment that Anand Mahindra envisioned eight years ago. Sometimes the best business strategies require the patience to wait for the perfect moment—and the wisdom to know when that moment has arrived.
