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Once again, Tesla finds itself in the spotlight of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The electric vehicle giant revealed that it had received information requests and subpoenas from the DOJ, as per a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This latest round of inquiries centers around Tesla's perks, advertised range of its electric vehicles, and personnel decisions, adding to the list of investigations the company is currently navigating.
The DOJ's interest in the advertised range follows a prior Reuters investigation that raised questions about the accuracy of Tesla's range estimates for its EVs. The report suggested that these estimates had been exaggerated for years, potentially misleading vehicle owners. The investigation even pointed to CEO Elon Musk's involvement in using algorithms to inflate the range numbers.
Furthermore, the DOJ has delved into the perks Tesla may have provided its CEO, Elon Musk, dating back to 2017. This includes a proposed glass house built with company funds. Transactions between Tesla and entities connected to Musk are also under scrutiny. These latest inquiries come in addition to the ongoing investigation into Tesla's advanced driver assistance system, Autopilot, and its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature.
While the specific reasons behind these recent DOJ subpoenas remain confidential, they signify the intensifying scrutiny Tesla faces, not only over its product claims but also its corporate operations and executive benefits. The outcome of these investigations could have far-reaching consequences, influencing not just Tesla but the broader EV industry and corporate governance practices.
