Tesla Motors prides itself of being totally different from the legacy carmakers. Indeed, it is. Established automakers have long learned that publicly blaming the customer is corporate suicide. In their own interest, established automakers rather swallow their considerable pride before publicly questioning the honor and professionalism of a journalist. Established automakers have been taught that obstructing the work of the NHTSA amounts to grave-shoveling. Unlike every other automaker, Tesla blames its customers, attacks journalists, and implicitly calls its regulator NHTSA a bunch of liars, all in one public corporate blog post. As Lou Whiteman just wrote, if Tesla ever wants to become one of the big boys, then Tesla needs to grow up.
On Wednesday, my partner Ed Niedermeyer drew attention to a highly questionable practice by electric automaker Tesla Motors. Tesla appears to demand “an NDA from owners in exchange for satisfaction regarding its vehicle defects.” An NDA is a Non Disclosure Agreement, an agreement to remain silent. While NDAs are quite common in Silicon Valley’s software trade, they are unheard-of in the auto-business, especially when it comes to warranty and make-good work on cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) relies on defect reports by customers. Putting customers under gag orders would run counter to the agency’s intentions. After our story was published, the NHTSA issued a strongly-worded statement:
“NHTSA learned of Tesla’s troublesome nondisclosure agreement last month. The agency immediately informed Tesla that any language implying that consumers should not contact the agency regarding safety concerns is unacceptable, and NHTSA expects Tesla to eliminate any such language.”
The agency’s actions created headlines all over the world. They also prompted Tesla Motors to write a blog post. That post embodies everything a legacy automaker would be loath to do. [Continue Reading]
