Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk speaks during a Tesla product launch event in Los Angeles, California, USA on October 10, 2024 (this still image is taken from the video).
Tesla | via Reuters
Tesla The company falsely suggested in social media posts that its cars were self-driving, which could mislead and endanger drivers, according to a warning from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Tesla’s X (Twitter) account has retweeted or endorsed posts that demonstrate driver disengagement,” NHTSA Administrator Gregory Magno wrote in a letter to Tesla’s board of directors. e-mail May’s news became public on Friday. “Tesla’s post conflicts with its stated message that drivers should maintain constant control of dynamic driving tasks.”
Magno warned that viewers of Tesla’s online communications, including posts on The driver is ready to swerve or brake at any time.
Tesla has until December 18 to respond to NHTSA’s letter, which also requests extensive information about the company’s vehicles and FSD-related technology. Failure to respond could result in fines of up to $135.8 million. Companies can also request an extension.
NHTSA is investigating possible safety flaws in Tesla’s FSD option (partially autonomous driving system). The latest detection follows a series of Tesla crashes involving the use of FSD within 30 seconds of impact. In one case, a Tesla driver using FSD struck and killed a pedestrian.
Magno pointed to a series of posts Tesla shared on X, the social network owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. One post showed a driver using an FSD to go to the hospital while possibly suffering from a heart condition. Another photo shows a driver claiming to be using FSD for a 50-minute bus ride home. sporting events.
Magno wrote that Tesla said in the post that there are benefits to using the FSD “while drunk” or when tired. NHTSA requires Tesla to make its online communications “consistent” with user instructions and “appropriate to a level of capability for deployment on public roadways.”
Musk was a major supporter of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, aiming to cut federal spending and regulations when the new administration takes office. He also seeks to establish federal motor vehicle safety standards for self-driving cars.
Since Tuesday’s election, Tesla’s stock price has risen 28% in three trading days, and its market value exceeded $1 trillion on Friday.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Letter to Tesla here.
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