Tesla To Be Investigated by DOJ Over Misleading 'Self-Driving' Claims Following Fatal Autopilot Accidents
By Thea Felicity
May 08, 2024 12:57 PM EDT
May 08, 2024 12:57 PM EDT
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated an investigation into Tesla's self-driving claims, probing potential securities or wire fraud, according to Reuters.
Allegations suggest Tesla may have misled investors and consumers about the capabilities of its electric vehicles' self-driving features, prompting scrutiny of statements made by Tesla and CEO Elon Musk.
In the same report, regulators have been separately investigating numerous crashes involving Teslas equipped with Autopilot, some of them fatal, leading to a wide-ranging recall by the automaker.
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The investigations coincide with Musk's recent assertions regarding Tesla's progress toward achieving self-driving capabilities, including renaming the system from 'Full Self-Driving Beta' to 'Supervised Full Self-Driving.'
This development also follows the disclosure of subpoenas received by Tesla from the DOJ last year regarding its Autopilot and self-driving initiatives. The investigation remains ongoing with this case as prosecutors are stil reviewing extensive documentation provided by Tesla in response to subpoenas.
Now, current investigators are exploring whether Tesla engaged in wire fraud by deceiving consumers about its driver-assistance systems and whether securities fraud occurred by misleading investors.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly still looking into these claims.
READ MORE: Elon Musk Prioritizing Robotaxi Over Affordable Tesla Models Contributed to Profit Drop
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