Federal auto safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla over repeated violations of crash-reporting rules involving its self-driving and driver assistance technology, raising fresh scrutiny as the company seeks to roll out hundreds of thousands of driverless cars in the coming year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a filing Thursday that Tesla submitted reports on “numerous” crashes months late, well beyond the five-day requirement. Regulators will examine why Tesla delayed filings, whether the reports contained all necessary data, and if additional crashes have gone unreported.
The inquiry comes just two months after Tesla, led by Elon Musk, launched a self-driving taxi service in Austin, Texas, with plans to expand nationwide. Tesla also intends to push over-the-air software updates enabling millions of its cars already on the road to drive autonomously.
Investors have largely kept Tesla stock buoyant despite declining sales and profits amid boycotts tied to Musk’s political stances, including support for Donald Trump and far-right leaders in Europe. Shares slipped nearly 1% in midday trading Thursday to $321.
Tesla has told NHTSA the delays were caused by “an issue with Tesla’s data collection,” which it says has since been fixed. The company did not respond to requests for comment.
The new probe adds to existing regulatory scrutiny: in October, NHTSA began investigating self-driving performance in foggy and low-visibility conditions after crashes involving 2.5 million vehicles, one of which resulted in a fatality.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a filing Thursday that Tesla submitted reports on “numerous” crashes months late, well beyond the five-day requirement. Regulators will examine why Tesla delayed filings, whether the reports contained all necessary data, and if additional crashes have gone unreported.
The inquiry comes just two months after Tesla, led by Elon Musk, launched a self-driving taxi service in Austin, Texas, with plans to expand nationwide. Tesla also intends to push over-the-air software updates enabling millions of its cars already on the road to drive autonomously.
Investors have largely kept Tesla stock buoyant despite declining sales and profits amid boycotts tied to Musk’s political stances, including support for Donald Trump and far-right leaders in Europe. Shares slipped nearly 1% in midday trading Thursday to $321.
Tesla has told NHTSA the delays were caused by “an issue with Tesla’s data collection,” which it says has since been fixed. The company did not respond to requests for comment.
The new probe adds to existing regulatory scrutiny: in October, NHTSA began investigating self-driving performance in foggy and low-visibility conditions after crashes involving 2.5 million vehicles, one of which resulted in a fatality.
You may also like
USAID didn't give $21 million for poll turnout: US embassy to Centre
Frightening footprint optical illusion has people's 'minds melting'
Channel 5 fans of All Creatures Great and Small 'need' to watch incredible adaptation
World watches as two-day ET WLF kicks off today, bringing together the big names
'I stayed on 'paradise' island that's home to one of the world's best beaches'
