A still image taken from a video of Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk giving a speech at a Tesla product launch event held in Los Angeles, California, USA on October 10, 2024.
Tesla | via Reuters
tesla The company falsely suggested in social media posts that its cars were self-driving, which could mislead drivers and pose a danger, according to a warning from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Tesla’s X (Twitter) account reposted or endorsed posts demonstrating insensitive driver behavior,” NHTSA’s Gregory Magno wrote to Tesla’s board of directors. email Published on Friday in May. “Tesla’s posts contradict the company’s message that drivers need to maintain continuous control over dynamic driving tasks.”
Mr. Magno, head of the agency’s defect investigations division, said viewers of Tesla’s online communications, including posts about He warned that there was a possibility that there would be. Robotaxis mean drivers are always ready to take the wheel or brake, even if human supervision is required.
Tesla had until Dec. 18 to respond to NHTSA’s letter, which included a request for extensive information about its vehicles and FSD-related technology. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $135.8 million. The company can also ask for an extension.
NHTSA is investigating possible safety flaws in Tesla’s FSD option, a partially autonomous driving system. The latest spacecraft tracked a series of Tesla collisions using FSD within 30 seconds of impact. In one instance, a Tesla driver using FSD struck and killed a pedestrian.
Magno was referring to a series of posts shared by Tesla on social network X, owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. One post showed a driver using FSD to go to the hospital while enduring a possible heart attack. Another photo showed a driver who used FSD to make the 50-minute drive home. sporting event.
Tesla suggested in the post that “there are benefits to using FSD when intoxicated or fatigued,” Magno wrote. NHTSA asked Tesla to make online communications “consistent” with user instructions and “appropriate to the level of capability deployed on public roads.”
Musk has emerged as a key supporter of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, aiming to cut federal spending and regulation as the new administration takes office. He also aims to develop federal vehicle safety standards for self-driving cars.
Tesla stock has risen 28% in the three trading days since Tuesday’s election, and on Friday surpassed the $1 trillion market cap.
Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. Read NHTSA Click here for the letter to Tesla.
Correction: Story has been updated to reflect Gregory Magno’s correct title within NHTSA.
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