News DeskPravaig Dynamics, an Indian automotive startup developing high performance electric vehicles, is taking an unconventional approach to recruiting talent: offering internships to former Tesla Inc. candidates whose opportunities were rescinded.
The Bengaluru based company, founded in 2011, has extended internship positions to aspiring Tesla interns left without placements, according to Pravaig. The move underscores the competition for skilled labor in the burgeoning EV industry as companies race to get new models on the road.
With an eye on major export markets, Pravaig is scouting locations in Saudi Arabia to establish local production and assembly operations, aiming to capitalize on the kingdom’s push to attract electric vehicle investment and manufacture EVs for the Middle East region.
Pravaig is aiming to begin production of its flagship DEFY electric SUV, which boasts a 500-plus kilometer driving range and acceleration of 0-100 kph in under 5 seconds, with deliveries expected later this year.
The company plans an initial annual manufacturing capacity of 3,000 units, which it aims to eventually scale to 1 million vehicles by 2028 to meet domestic and export demand.
With eye-catching features like a Devialet sound system, 15.6 inch display and eco friendly interior materials, the DEFY is intended to offer a blend of high performance and sustainability, according to Pravaig. The vehicle company is billing the SUV as “automotive reimagined” with all wheel drive, privacy controls and over-the-air software updates.
Pravaig has so far received around 800 bookings for the DEFY in India, where electric vehicle sales are accelerating driven by incentives and rising fuel costs. The company eventually plans to export 70% of its production to markets like the U.S., Europe and the Mideast. But bringing that manufacturing vision to fruition will require hiring top engineering talent, a commodity in particularly high demand amid the EV boom.
