A Tesla owner has issued an apology after admitting that they fabricated a brake failure story.
Tesla faced several allegations of brake failure over the past two years in China. However, none of these allegations were proven true. One well-known case was from a car owner in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province.
The accident happened in August 2020, the owner, Mr. Chen was driving a Tesla Model 3 and he claimed that it lost control resulting in an accident.
A Weibo user named “Wenzhou Owner” issued an apology for fabricating a story that his Tesla braking system was not effective.
“After the accident, I was upset even though I knew I had pressed the accelerator pedal instead of the brake,” the owner said. “I have been insulting and defaming Tesla Inc. and Tesla vehicles since mid-August 2020 by continuing to fabricate content on Douyin, Weibo, radio, and TV interviews about Tesla’s automatic acceleration and brake failure, and about how to cherish life and stay away from Tesla.” – according to Teslarati.
Investigations were made after the accident. In October 2020, results showed that the car’s brake pedal was not depressed for five seconds before the collision. The owner did not object to the results when making a statement at the traffic police department and admitted that the brakes were indeed not pressed at the time, but the accelerator was pressed by mistake. On October 27, 2020, the traffic police determined that the owner should bear full responsibility.
In May 2021, Wenzhou Automobile Engineering Society’s investigations proved that the owner indeed mistakenly pressed the accelerator pedal as the brake pedal.
In October 2021, the owner was required to apologize to Tesla on Douyin and pay damages of RMB 50,000 ($7,750).
“The case took effect in March this year after the first and second trial. The verdict found that I constituted an infringement of Tesla’s reputation and should apologize to Tesla and pay financial damages,” today’s statement said. “I am now conscious of the nature of my actions and regret the significant negative impact I have had on Tesla and Tesla vehicles; I sincerely apologize to Tesla and to those who were misled by my comments”
