Photo: Tesla
Back in October 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finally got around to crash test the Tesla Model 3 electric car. The vehicle performed exceptionally well during the procedures, and received the coveted 5-star rating.
When the results were announced, Tesla issued a pompous statement saying the car was found to have the lowest probability of injury during a crash of all cars ever tested. They also claimed the Model 3 was the safest car to ever be tested by the organization.
At the time of this release, the safety watchdog said it “does not distinguish safety performance beyond the five star rating” and that there is no safest rating within the five-star category.
It would appear though the NHTSA objections to Tesla’s interpretation of the results went far beyond a slap on the wrist.
According to Plainsite, information obtained through the Freedom of Information Act shows the NHTSA issued at the time (October 17, 2018) a cease-and-desist letter to Elon Musk and Tesla, warning him and the carmaker to stop making claims that are “inconsistent” with the testing procedure and results.
What’s more, the NHTSA said that because Tesla repeatedly failed to comply with communication guidelines on crash test results, the matter was also referred to the Bureau of Consumer Protection for possible “unfair and deceptive acts and practices.”
The official letter, as published by Plainsite, is attached below.
The NHTSA is not the only safety organization that objects to the way in which Tesla advertises its products. At about the same time Tesla received this letter, the Euro NCAP slammed the carmaker for the unclear and at times misleading way in which it advertises the Autopilot.
The Europeans claim the technology’s name, combined with bad advertising, leads people to believe Tesla cars can drive themselves almost always, a belief that could endanger lives.
At the time of this release, the safety watchdog said it “does not distinguish safety performance beyond the five star rating” and that there is no safest rating within the five-star category.
It would appear though the NHTSA objections to Tesla’s interpretation of the results went far beyond a slap on the wrist.
According to Plainsite, information obtained through the Freedom of Information Act shows the NHTSA issued at the time (October 17, 2018) a cease-and-desist letter to Elon Musk and Tesla, warning him and the carmaker to stop making claims that are “inconsistent” with the testing procedure and results.
What’s more, the NHTSA said that because Tesla repeatedly failed to comply with communication guidelines on crash test results, the matter was also referred to the Bureau of Consumer Protection for possible “unfair and deceptive acts and practices.”
The official letter, as published by Plainsite, is attached below.
The NHTSA is not the only safety organization that objects to the way in which Tesla advertises its products. At about the same time Tesla received this letter, the Euro NCAP slammed the carmaker for the unclear and at times misleading way in which it advertises the Autopilot.
The Europeans claim the technology’s name, combined with bad advertising, leads people to believe Tesla cars can drive themselves almost always, a belief that could endanger lives.
Very unusual that the cease and desist went *directly* to Elon Musk, not counsel for Tesla. There's no plausible deniability. pic.twitter.com/L8wy9lBerG
— PlainSite (@PlainSite) August 6, 2019
Google News