Just after writing about the investigation the U.S. NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) opened into the risk of fires in the Tesla Model S, our Houston car accident injury lawyers have learned that the NHTSA has decided to take new action to tighten the rules on how automakers can use ratings data from government crash tests. And that the move was prompted by Tesla Motors Inc.’s claims that its Model S (the electric car being investigated for fire hazards) was the safest car in America with a 5.4 star government rating. The Houston car accident injury lawyers at Denena Points, PC note that the ratings only go up to 5 stars. There is no 5.4 star rating.
The NHTSA emphasized that when automakers claim anything higher than the 5 star safety rating, they are misleading the public. The NHTSA announced that, “Tesla’s claim was an example of the potential confusion and inaccuracy that could be caused by incorrect use of the five-star ratings information in advertising and marketing statements. As a result, NHTSA reviewed its advertising guidelines and made updates to ensure consumers receive accurate and consistent information.”
David Strickland of the NHTSA said that the agency was aware of other automakers that have misused the safety ratings data, but it was Tesla’s action that had prompted the change in NHTSA policy. The NHTSA says that under its stricter new rules regarding use of the crash test ratings, companies that don’t comply with the guidelines could be booted from the crash test ratings program, be the subject of “buyer alert” warnings from the government, and/or be subject to further, unspecified actions from other government agencies. (Source: Associated Press by way of the Houston Chronicle, 11/20/13)
The misuse of the crash test ratings data may not be the only misleading of the public in Tesla’s quest to bolster its image as a producer of very safe vehicles. Our Houston car accident injury lawyers had also noticed in articles announcing the probe into the Model S fires that Tesla’s CEO had apparently claimed that the investigation was initiated at the NHTSA at his request due to concern over the possible fire hazard issue. But NHTSA Administrator David Strickland clarified that he was aware of no such request from Tesla. But that Tesla was cooperating with the safety probe. Unfortunately, it appears now that Tesla’s unusual efforts to enhance its reputation for safety and concern might have backfired and had the opposite result. Click the link to read more about the NHTSA investigation into possible fire hazards with the Tesla Model S.