Headline: Department of Justice Expands Investigation Into Tesla, Probing Personal Benefits and Vehicle Range
Body:
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently intensified its probe into electric vehicle giant Tesla, as disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing by the company. Subpoenas have been issued by the agency, seeking information on a range of topics including “personal benefits, related parties, vehicle range, and personnel decisions.”
This recent development follows a previous request from the DOJ to Tesla for details regarding the Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features. The expanded investigation suggests that the government agency is delving deeper into potential issues surrounding the company’s operations and practices.
One area of concern highlighted by reports is whether Tesla vehicles have met the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) range estimates during road tests. It has been alleged that the EPA range figures for these electric vehicles were not achieved, raising questions about the accuracy of the company’s claims.
In response to complaints from customers about shorter ranges in low temperatures, Tesla established a special team to address the issue. Customers were reportedly informed that the EPA range figures were merely predictions and that battery degradation over time would result in reduced range.
The term “related parties” mentioned in the DOJ filing raises speculation about senior management, company directors, or major shareholders who may be involved in the investigation. This suggests that the government agency is exploring the possibility of misconduct or conflicts of interest within the company’s hierarchy.
This is not the first time Tesla has faced scrutiny from government agencies. Previous reports have indicated an internal investigation into whether CEO Elon Musk used company funds for personal projects. Moreover, other agencies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the SEC have also sought information from the automaker.
In response to these ongoing investigations, Tesla has stated that no government agency has found any wrongdoing. However, the outcome and potential impact of these inquiries remain uncertain. As the DOJ’s expanded investigation continues, the electric vehicle company faces yet another challenge to its reputation and business operations.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on the referenced SEC filing and reports from credible sources. The outcome of the investigations is unknown, and no conclusive evidence of any wrongdoing has been discovered at the time of this writing.
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