[m_mueller]

While this certainly reads like illicit usage, this blog entry leaves a sour taste with me.

1) Why even blogging about this? Is Tesla that insecure about its PR that they think they need to take the wind out of any possible negative news story, even if it will be easily defused?

2) Why start with their high grades in consumer reports? This is not a statistical sample, it's an individual case. Reads very defensive even though it clearly wouldn't be needed.

After so many success stories I hope they become more confident in their public communications.

[joezydeco]

Is this just how startups need to act in the social-media era when confronted with a story that could possibly go viral?

A company like GM doesn't need to worry as much about a lemon-law claim - it's probably cheaper to just refund the money than pay lawyers.

[ztratar]

I'm personally glad they blogged about this.

1. It keeps me thinking about Tesla and gives them a chance to repeat the message of their reknowned customer service.

2. It's a warning shot to other lawyers or politicans drumming up anti-electric vehicle nonsense. Tesla won't play your game -- don't even try.

[joezydeco]

I'm just thinking they've tried to up their game after the whole NY Times headache.[1]

[1] http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/automobiles/stalled-on-the...

[sjtrny]

1) to scare off the lawyer and all future lawyers 2) to build a body of evidence against the lawyers claims

To me this is very confident. It's a big gamble coming out like this. Someone who wasn't confident would have just settled and kept it quiet.

[icelancer]

Completely agree. Musk and Tesla ruined this guy's frivolous complaint and did it publicly and with pure facts.

[munificent]

> 2) to build a body of evidence against the lawyers claims

Evidence is something you present in court, not on the web.

Tesla's side of the story is, of course, interesting and relevant, but it's not necessary for them to do a press release about it to fight the court case. The only people who need to see it for that are the judge and jury.

This is being done publicly, which means it's purely a PR move.

[crashandburn4]

I feel like a PR move is necessary given this[1]. In response to a case like that where a lot of people have seen what amounts to a smear campaign, I don't have a problem with with someone explaining their side (in my opinion) clearly and calmly, I'd even say it's required.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUaelOgVXLe-1a3PUpob3upQ&...

[EpicEng]

Of course it's a PR move, what else could it possibly be? PR is important, best to get out in front of a problem than be caught playing catch up.

[sjtrny]

Obviously it's a PR move. You can still use evidence in a press release to strengthen your future statements within that press release.

[mullingitover]

> 1) Why even blogging about this? Is Tesla that insecure about its PR that they think they need to take the wind out of any possible negative news story, even if it will be easily defused?

I don't think insecure is the right word. Protective is probably more appropriate.

The claim really looks like slimy lawyering based on pure fraud, so why run around doing press interviews (or whatever you think they're supposed to do) when they can lay out their facts on their own terms?

If they weren't responsive to negative press, people would be calling them shrinking violets instead.

[takeda]

Just by looking at the video posted by the lawyer, you can easily tell that it purpose is to tarnish their brand (if you have not watched it, please do and tell me if it was necessary), and they hope that Tesla would quickly and quietly settle it out of court.

Tesla won't do this, because that would only increase number of suits like this.

[npizzolato]

(2) also came across the wrong way to me. A consumer reports rating is completely irrelevant to whether or not a single car has some defect. It comes across as dismissive for all the wrong reasons. "The average consumer loves us, so we clearly couldn't do any wrong!"

That said, this specific case does seem like bullshit. And if it is, I hope Tesla destroys them in court. But that doesn't mean I like this PR piece.

[epynonymous]

this is about fighting for your rights, viral vs viral, i think tesla's trying to stop what could potentially be an exploit and extremely dangerous behavior. this is justice, tesla has plans to do bigger and better things, what's this lawyer and friend combo doing, just trying to make money it seems.

[gargarplex]

> 1) Why even blogging about this

Tesla is hot right now and almost everything they do is press worthy. It reminds me of Google back in the day. They are taking advantage of this.