Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal Takes Jab at Elon Musk, Promotes Indian Innovation
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Bhavish Aggarwal pokes fun at Elon Musk, says 'Tesla for West, Ola for Rest' | Mint
Bhavish Aggarwal, founder and chief executive officer of Ola Electric and Ola Cabs, on Wednesday, August 21, mocked Tesla founder Elon Musk, stating that "Tesla is for the West and Ola is for the rest". Speaking at Business Today's BT India@100 Conclave in New Delhi, Aggarwal said billionaire Musk's company makes products for the one billion rich people. "Tesla is for the West, Ola is for the rest. The products that companies like Tesla, etc, will build are for the 1 billion rich people. The larger opportunity is to build for the global south, build for India, and then expand to the global south," said Aggarwal, adding, "That's what Ola Electric is doing with our products." The chief of the Indian electric two-wheeler manufacturer has also expressed his views on Musk and his ventures in areas where Ola has a presence. Aggarwal even suggested that Musk should try some new ventures. "You know, I'm just being myself. I'm much younger than him, and he's someone we all look up to. But honestly, I'm not sure why he's venturing into the same businesses I'm in. Maybe he should try something new for a change. I started Krutrim before he launched his AI venture," Aggarwal said at the conclave. Bhavish Aggarwal also highlighted his company's achievements, including launching the country's first gigafactory. The eight-month-old Krutrim is focused on the opportunity to build on AI text technology in India. "For too long in India, we have used global technologies without realising the implication of it," said Aggarwal. Aggarwal reiterated Ola's vision for India and shed light on how Indians will shape the future. The founder also talked about how growth around the world is shaped by Indian youth and how India is poised to play a big role in the global agenda. "For me, and Ola, our focus has always been on seizing this pivotal moment for India. We're living in the most exciting time of our lives, where India is on the rise, and the future will be shaped by Indians," he said. "With 20 per cent of the world's growth happening here and a significant portion of the global youth in India, our country is poised to increasingly set the global agenda," Aggarwal observed.
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Ola's Bhavish Aggarwal mocks Elon Musk: 'Try something new for a change'
Read more: Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal on how he spends his money: 'Never bought a single share in my life' He added, "We prefer the kurta-pyjama over a leather jacket any day. If people in Silicon Valley can wear leather jackets and black polo t-shirts, why can't we wear a kurta and have long hair?" Explaining his goal at Ola, Bhavish Aggarwal said, "Tesla is for the West, Ola is for the rest. The products that companies like Tesla, etc, will build are for the 1 billion rich people. The larger opportunity is to build for the global south, build for India, and then expand to the global south. That's what Ola Electric is doing with our products. We're the first to have a Gigafactory in India. Now with Krutrim, which is our most recent company, just eight months old, the opportunity and ambition is to build India's AI text tech. And for too long in India, we have used global technologies without realising the implication of it." Talking about the struggles he had to face while building Ola in India, he said, "In a way, if the founding principles of a business are solid and your intentions are genuine, you'll find your path. For me and Ola, our focus has always been on seizing this pivotal moment for India. We're living in the most exciting time of our lives, where India is on the rise, and the future will be shaped by Indians. With 20 per cent of the world's growth happening here and a significant portion of the global youth in India, our country is poised to increasingly set the global agenda."
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Elon Musk should try something new for a change: Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal
The founder and CEO of Ola, Bhavish Aggarwal, recently appeared in the BT India@100 Conclave organised by Business Today where he mentioned that the tech billionaire Elon Musk should stop doing businesses that he is doing. When asked about his comparison with Musk, the Ola founder replied that he is younger than him and Musk is someone "we all look up to." However, he also mentioned that he is not sure why he is venturing into the same businesses he is in. "Maybe he should try something new for a change," Aggarwal added. He also stated that he started his venture Krutrim before the latter launched his AI venture.
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Bhavish Aggarwal, CEO of Ola Electric, challenges Elon Musk's Tesla, emphasizing the importance of local innovation for India's automotive market. The exchange highlights the growing competition in the global electric vehicle industry.
Ola CEO's Bold Statement
Bhavish Aggarwal, the CEO of Ola Electric, has stirred up controversy in the electric vehicle (EV) industry with a provocative statement aimed at Tesla and its founder, Elon Musk. In a social media post, Aggarwal declared, "Tesla is for the West, Ola is for the Rest," highlighting his company's focus on serving markets beyond the Western world
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.Context of the Controversy
The statement came in response to reports that Tesla is considering entering the Indian market with a $24,000 electric car. Aggarwal's comments reflect a growing sentiment among Indian entrepreneurs about the need for localized solutions tailored to the country's unique market conditions
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.Ola's Vision for India
Aggarwal emphasized that India needs its own innovative approach to electric mobility, rather than relying on Western imports. He stated, "India needs to build its own tech capabilities to build products for India and the world," underscoring the importance of domestic innovation in the EV sector
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.Ola's Market Position
Ola Electric has been making significant strides in the Indian EV market. The company recently launched its first electric car, the Ola S1 Air, priced at ₹4.99 lakh. This competitive pricing strategy aims to make electric vehicles more accessible to the Indian consumer
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.Tesla's India Plans
Tesla's potential entry into the Indian market with a $24,000 electric car has been a topic of much speculation. The company has been in talks with the Indian government regarding potential investments and manufacturing plans. However, concerns about high import duties and the need for local manufacturing have been ongoing points of discussion
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Industry Reactions
Aggarwal's comments have sparked a debate within the industry about the role of global versus local players in emerging markets. Some industry experts view his statements as a bold move to position Ola as a champion of Indian innovation, while others see it as a marketing tactic to gain attention in a competitive market
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.Future of EV Competition in India
The exchange between Aggarwal and Musk highlights the intensifying competition in the global EV industry. As India aims to increase its electric vehicle adoption, the market is likely to see more players entering with tailored solutions for local consumers. This competition could potentially drive innovation and reduce prices, benefiting Indian consumers in the long run
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