Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by gsnedders 2996 days ago
If they are a party to the investigation, ignoring the non-disclosure rules makes Tesla seem to me like a dodgy company willing to act against established norms designed to ensure transport safety, and I hope they get the book thrown at them for it.

If they are not a party to the investigation, I'd question why not. When was the last time an aircraft manufacturer declined to be a party to the investigation? They recognise that if they get a reputation for being unsafe that has repercussions for future sales; I'd hope the same was true of car manufacturers!

To me, there's literally no way this makes Tesla look good.
2 comments
ethbro 2996 days ago
Isn't that a lose/lose for Tesla?

Are not a party to the investigation -- motives questioned, discovering facts takes longer or impossible

Are a party to the investigation and information can only be released by NTSB -- share price gets hammered every time there's a crash and everyone else gets a chance to put out information

I'm inclined to lead towards "special circumstances" here. Does every Ford crash make national news?

link
mannykannot 2996 days ago
> share price gets hammered every time there's a crash.

Instituting a more responsible testing program would both signal that they are dealing with the matter and also reduce the possibility of further deaths.

> Does every Ford crash make national news?

Those that indicate a major screw-up do, such as the Explorer rollovers (or Chevvy's ignition switch issue, for that matter).

I don't think the NTSB would be upset if the statements about these autonomous-vehicle accidents were purely factual, relevant and without self-serving commentary and innuendo.

link
gsnedders 2996 days ago
Is the same not true for Boeing?
link
ethbro 2996 days ago
I'd argue Boeing (and most other companies) have the benefit of amortizating "fear" over the total installed base of similar technologies.

A Chevy engine turns out to have a design flaw, investors say "Yes, but Ford produces and sells tons of engines, so here's how much we think fixing it will cost."

It seems like the recent Uber / Tesla self-driving impact is more of the form of "Gee, maybe this isn't even possible."

If the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor were the only aircraft Boeing made... then I'd say it would be a more similar analogy.

link
TAForObvReasons 2996 days ago
"Move fast and break things", including non-disclosure agreements and established norms :/
link