Tesla releases cheaper version of Model S

Yesterday, a spokesperson for the agency said it was “examining the potential suspension issue on the Tesla Model S”, with NHTSA administrator Mark Rosekind later adding that the agency was in “data collection mode”. Bryan Thomas, an agency spokesman said, “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”.

NHTSA had asked Tesla for further information, which was provided.

The regulatory body further said that it has begun review of reports of such suspension problems in Model S and Model X. It has sought additional information from the company and vehicle owners.

The NHTSA also said it is looking into reports that Tesla has asked customers to sign nondisclosure agreements in connection with repairs handled by the automaker.

Unfortunately for everybody involved, Tesla published a reply in an unusual style, and suggested we take those claims with “a grain of salt”, as the title of the post referring to the situation suggests.

However, the NHTSA’s interest is not just in the safety of the Model S, but in claims that Tesla asked one customer with a faulty vehicle to sign a non-disclosure agreement as part of a deal to fix their auto at a discount. Tesla also claims that it has regular contact with NHTSA and proactively reports defects.

“On April 20th, as part of what it has told us it considers ‘routine screening, ‘ NHTSA informally asked us to provide information about our suspensions”.

Tesla in its own blog posted a lengthy response rebutting claims of safety defects or improper agreements with customers. We hope that representatives from NHTSA and Tesla can speak to one another like civilized people and work through any safety or legal concerns.

For the budget-conscious Tesla fans who can’t wait for a Model 3, a cheaper version of the Model S is now available. “I never thought this prevented me from talking to anyone”, he said, noting that he posted the agreement on the online forum before signing it. “We don’t know if Mr. Niedermayer’s [sic] motivation is simply to set a world record for axe-grinding or whether he or his associates have something financial to gain by negatively affecting Tesla’s stock price, but it is important to highlight that there are several billion dollars in short sale bets against Tesla”, the company wrote.

However, Tesla explained that the company gets this document, known as ‘goodwill agreement, ‘ signed to make sure that no good gesture is carried out by the company, which can be used against it in court. “This means that there is a strong financial incentive to greatly amplify minor issues and to create false issues from whole cloth”.

The company says it has asked customers to sign the Goodwill Agreement when it agrees to fix a problem that wasn’t the fault of the auto.