Photo: @BrianX2023, @alantaylor1 via X, IIHS
On December 12, Tesla issued a voluntary recall to prevent drivers from abusing the Autosteer system. The measure was blown out of proportion by the media despite all this being about a minor software update. A Mercedes-Benz dealer in Houston, TX, thought to capitalize on this by printing out and distributing an FUD article about the recall to its customers.
Tesla critics and some media outlets are again overjoyed to report on a Tesla recall that affects more than 2 million vehicles. This is, basically, every Tesla sold in the US, so you understand the emotional charge of the news. However, what people think when they read about a recall and what Tesla did in this case are two different matters. Although the word recall implies that two million cars have to get into service to "fix the steering issues," as some headlines read, it couldn't be further from the truth.
First, there are no steering issues with Tesla vehicles. The so-called recall is not about fixing a steering issue, it's about making it harder for drivers to misuse the Autosteer system. Autosteer is a part of Autopilot responsible for keeping the car centered in the lane. Moreover, Tesla does that by sending an over-the-air software update to its vehicles, so no car needs to go to a service center. In fact, Tesla already included the fix with this year's Holiday Update, or software version 2023.44.30, so there's nothing to talk about anymore.
This didn't stop some news outlets from posting alarmist headlines like "Tesla recalls more than 2 million cars over steering issue" (Consumer Affairs) or "Elon Musk's Tesla recalls two million cars in the US over Autopilot defect" (BBC). CNN was among them, with a sneaky "Tesla recalls nearly all 2 million of its vehicles on US roads" article. Although factually correct, the headline leaves a lot for interpretation.
That's probably why a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Houston, Texas, considered it perfect for a smear campaign against Tesla. Mercedes-Benz of Houston Greenway printed out copies of the articles and distributed them to customers arriving in their showroom. The evidence was shared in the Tesla Club of Greater Houston group on Facebook. The author writes that a friend (who also owns a Tesla Model Y Performance) was given the printed article when bringing her Mercedes to the dealer for a service appointment.
The salesperson who did this was so proud of his act that he also stamped his business card on the article. Apart from becoming famous, it's unclear what he was trying to accomplish by doing so. It's also unclear whether he handed article prints to everyone entering the showroom or just this person who already owns a Tesla. Whatever the reason, it's also a strange way to communicate to your customers that you fear competition from Tesla.
First, there are no steering issues with Tesla vehicles. The so-called recall is not about fixing a steering issue, it's about making it harder for drivers to misuse the Autosteer system. Autosteer is a part of Autopilot responsible for keeping the car centered in the lane. Moreover, Tesla does that by sending an over-the-air software update to its vehicles, so no car needs to go to a service center. In fact, Tesla already included the fix with this year's Holiday Update, or software version 2023.44.30, so there's nothing to talk about anymore.
This didn't stop some news outlets from posting alarmist headlines like "Tesla recalls more than 2 million cars over steering issue" (Consumer Affairs) or "Elon Musk's Tesla recalls two million cars in the US over Autopilot defect" (BBC). CNN was among them, with a sneaky "Tesla recalls nearly all 2 million of its vehicles on US roads" article. Although factually correct, the headline leaves a lot for interpretation.
That's probably why a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Houston, Texas, considered it perfect for a smear campaign against Tesla. Mercedes-Benz of Houston Greenway printed out copies of the articles and distributed them to customers arriving in their showroom. The evidence was shared in the Tesla Club of Greater Houston group on Facebook. The author writes that a friend (who also owns a Tesla Model Y Performance) was given the printed article when bringing her Mercedes to the dealer for a service appointment.
The salesperson who did this was so proud of his act that he also stamped his business card on the article. Apart from becoming famous, it's unclear what he was trying to accomplish by doing so. It's also unclear whether he handed article prints to everyone entering the showroom or just this person who already owns a Tesla. Whatever the reason, it's also a strange way to communicate to your customers that you fear competition from Tesla.
Wow that’s just sad Mercedes. pic.twitter.com/LT4M5dawwV
— Brian G (@BrianX2023) December 16, 2023
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