The company wrote algorithms about a decade ago to create “optimistic” estimates of autonomy on the board, it reported to Reuters a source, and created a “Diversion Team” to cancel appointments service related to autonomy.
The Austin, Texas-based electric car maker deployed the equipment because its service centers were inundated with quotes from owners expecting better performance, based on company-announced estimates and projections shown by range gauges in the dashboard of the cars themselves, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Tesla faces many investigationsincluding cases from federal auto safety regulators, reviewing its driver assistance product Autopilot.
The prosecutor’s office in Manhattan is also investigating Tesla’s use of company funds in a secret project described internally as a residence for Chief Executive Elon Musk, the Journal reported Wednesday, citing sources. A spokesman for the US attorney’s office declined to comment on the Journal’s report on the investigations. Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
No dollar figures were released regarding the investigation of the residence, which the newspaper said was near Austin, Texas.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission has also opened a civil investigation, the Journal reported. An SEC spokesman said the agency does not comment on the existence or nonexistence of a possible investigation.