Tesla Motors is suing the BBC and one of the hosts of the popular series “Top Gear” for libel. The electric vehicle manufacturer alleges the show made detrimental and false claims during an episode which was supposed to put the Tesla Roadster through its paces. The allegations of the suit are being denied by the British Broadcasting Corporation. Source of article – BBC and Top Gear slapped with lawsuit by Tesla Motors by Car Deal Expert.
Response from Tesla Motors to Jeremy Clarkson’s stunt
The Tesla Roadster was tested based on its range claims in a “Top Gear” episode on BBC2 in Dec. 2008. Tesla Motors was not amused with the outcomes of the tests or the events of the episode, and is suing the British Broadcasting Corporation for what Tesla considers false and malicious assertions by the program, according to The Guardian.
The Roadsters are designed to get over 200 miles on an electric charge although the Tesla Roadster only ran for 55 miles in accordance with “Top Gear” host Clarkson. The “Top Gear” crew was shown in the show pushing the car from the “Top Gear” test track because the Roadster supposedly had motor and brake problems. This made Tesla angry. The business lost business.
Tesla Motors refuses to admit truth
Tesla maintains the Roadsters in the “Top Gear” show never actually ran out of charge. Tesla was electronically monitoring the two automobiles loaned to the show for testing, in accordance with USA Today, and asserts neither car fell below 25 percent charge. Tesla also asserts the brakes did not fail on one car as the show claimed, but a fuse controlling a component in the braking system failed, and the brakes would nevertheless have been sound.
The Tesla Roadster is "an electric vehicle you would actually want to buy," That has "a motor the size of a watermelon, with one moving part," in accordance with host Clarkson on the show. He also said it was great that the car was able to, in less than four seconds, get from 0 to 60 miles per hour.
Tesla isn’t seeking much in monetary damages, but does not want the show broadcast again. BBC would not talk to Tesla about the show concerns which started the legal proceedings. Forbes states Tesla had only started the suit because of this.
Comments tend to trigger trouble
In the past, “Top Gear” has gotten into some trouble. It has been involved in some controversy. Hosts Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have been accused of making or tolerating homophobic and racist behavior and remarks, and the show is known for baiting the environmentally conscious. This show is just like every other automotive television program. It wants the automobiles with horsepower that guzzle a lot of gas. Bloomberg states that about 6 million individuals in Britain watch “Top Gear” while over 300 million individuals across the world watch it.
Citations
The Guardian
guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/mar/30/tesla-sue-top-gear
USA Today
content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/03/tesla-top-gear-jeremy-clarkson-elon-musk-lawsuit/1
Forbes
blogs.forbes.com/hannahelliott/2011/03/30/tesla-sues-top-gear-for-libel/
Bloomberg
bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-30/carmaker-tesla-sues-bbc-s-top-gear-over-electric-roadster-test.html
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