[ethbro]

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?

[mannykannot]

> 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.

[gsnedders]

Is the same not true for Boeing?

[ethbro]

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.