ArenaEV.com ArenaEV.com

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

RSS

Settings
Units
Power
Standard
Consumption
Currency

Log in

Login

I forgot my password
Sign up
ADVERTISEMENTS

Tesla owner admits to lying about faulty brakes

  • Post your comment
  • Comments (2)

Max McDee, 11 May 2022

Tesla

Not so long ago we all heard and watched news from China with owners blaming their cars for causing accidents. Most claims focused on faulty brakes and some even went as far as accusing Tesla cars of accelerating randomly. The automaker’s reputation was on the line with numerous investigations ongoing and at some point the cars were banned from roads because of safety concerns.

One of many protesters blaming Tesla for accidents One of many protesters blaming Tesla for accidents

Tesla wasn’t going to lay down and do nothing, they went after the accusers. After thorough investigations, not only by Tesla itself but other Chinese and international organizations, it was proven beyond any doubt that in every case it was the driver responsible for the accident - either failing to use brakes at all or confusing the brake pedal with accelerator. Reputation is everything in China and Tesla is forcing each and every driver who made such claims to apologize publicly.

Social media campaigns were highly publicized Social media campaigns were highly publicized

The most publicized story was that of Mr Chen who back in August 2020 claimed his Tesla accelerated and hit a row of cars. He posted videos apparently showing his Model 3 randomly accelerating and failing to stop despite Mr Chen allegedly pressing the brake pedal.

Mr Chen went onto a prolonged campaign on social media, on radio and even on national TV accusing Tesla of manufacturing dangerous cars. But the story didn’t hold for too long, in October that year Mr Chen’s car was examined by Wenzhou Automobile Engineering Society - since nobody at the time was believing Tesla - and was found to have been working without any faults before and during the accident.

It was proven that Mr Chen simply confused the brake pedal with accelerator and then steered his Model 3 into a row of parked cars.

Yet another protester later forced to publicly apologize Yet another protester later forced to publicly apologize

Mr Chen as well as others were ordered by court to publicly apologize to Tesla and were issued with fines. Is this the end of false stories out there? Absolutely not, people will try anything for a bit of publicity, bad news always travels the fastest. Being publicly branded a liar in China comes with a lot of stigma, though, and that’s why Tesla is forcing its accusers to publicly apologize.

Source

Related articles
  • Grok AI arrives in Tesla cars, but can't do much yet Grok AI arrives in Tesla cars, but can't do much yet
  • 12 ways the Xiaomi YU7 outdoes the Tesla Model Y 12 ways the Xiaomi YU7 outdoes the Tesla Model Y
  • Tesla's growth hits a snag as deliveries tumble 13% in second quarter Tesla's growth hits a snag as deliveries tumble 13% in second quarter
  • Tesla's new factory promises cheaper batteries for more affordable EVs Tesla's new factory promises cheaper batteries for more affordable EVs

Reader comments

M
  • MaxMcDee
  • Stf
  • 19 May 2022

I guess all the computers and the cameras are coming handy :)

  • Reply
V
  • V
  • TL%
  • 16 May 2022

Sounds exactly like what happened in the 80's with Audi in the US with the "Unintended Acceleration" saga. Unfortunately there were no on-board computer logging then and Audi's reputation was tinted for many years to come.

  • Reply
  • Read all comments
  • Post your comment
Total reader comments: 2

  • Home
  • Compare
  • News
  • Terms
  • Reviews
  • About us
  • Tesla
  • Volkswagen
  • Audi
  • Porsche
  • BMW
  • Mercedes
  • Hyundai
  • Kia
  • Genesis
  • Renault
  • Nissan
  • Ford
  • Volvo
  • Polestar
  • Jaguar
  • Toyota
  • Mazda
  • Mini
  • MG
  • Vinfast
  • Lucid
  • Rivian
  • Cadillac
  • Chevrolet
  • GMC
  • Subaru
  • Nio
  • Xpeng
  • BYD
  • [..]

EV finder

ADVERTISEMENTS

Latest models

  • ModelHyundai
    Ioniq 6 N
  • ModelXiaomi
    YU7 Max
  • ModelNissan
    Leaf 75kWh
  • ModelTesla
    Model S Plaid
  • ModelNissan
    Micra EV 52kWh
  • ModelTesla
    Model X Plaid

Featured

  • Xpeng P7 AWD quick review and drive Xpeng P7 AWD quick review and drive
  • Grand test: Which is the fastest EV? Grand test: Which is the fastest EV?
  • Real-life test reveals how much range EVs lose in the cold Real-life test reveals how much range EVs lose in the cold
  • The EVs will kill the power grid. Or will they? The EVs will kill the power grid. Or will they?
  • Volvo EX90 alternatives - Mercedes EQS SUV 580 and Tesla Model X LR+ Volvo EX90 alternatives - Mercedes EQS SUV 580 and Tesla Model X LR+
ADVERTISEMENTS

Reviews

  • Mini Cooper SE JCW review Mini Cooper SE JCW review
  • Mercedes-Benz EQE AMG 43 4Matic review Mercedes-Benz EQE AMG 43 4Matic review
  • Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro review Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro review
  • Dacia Spring Electric 2023 review Dacia Spring Electric 2023 review

Home News Compare About us RSS feed Facebook Twitter Instagram

© 2022-2025 ArenaEV.com Mobile version EV Finder Glossary Privacy Terms of use

From the team behind
GSMArena.com