Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

NHTSA Tells Tesla To Stop Exaggerating Model S Safety Rating

Posted by timothy on from the all-the-kids-are-above-average dept.

cartechboy writes "There's always that kid in the class that ruins it for everyone when being graded on a curve. At the moment, that kid is Tesla and Elon Musk. Tesla's been proudly claiming the Model S is one of the safest cars in the word despite the recent fire controversy. And while it may be just that, claiming it earned 5.4 stars from NHTSA isn't pleasing the safety agency as there is no such thing as a rating higher than five. While NHTSA already released a statement indirectly to Tesla saying it doesn't release ratings higher than 5, Tesla continued to promote this fictitious rating. Now NHTSA has updated its guidelines explicitly stating safety ratings are whole numbers only and that 5 stars is the maximum advertisers can claim. If advertisers and automakers decide to disregard these rules NHTSA is threatening removal from the program or referral to state authorities for appropriate action. Basically, hey Tesla, stop making false claims."

12 of 284 comments (clear)

  1. He'll love that by Joce640k · · Score: 4, Funny

    My car's rating is higher than the maximum rating allowed by the NHTSA.

    --
    No sig today...
    1. Re:He'll love that by omnichad · · Score: 4, Funny

      Mine goes to 11.

  2. I wonder what Elon's rebuttal to this will be... by Midnight_Falcon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Stay tuned for Elon Musk's critique of the NHTSA and long blog post detailing why the NHTSA is a bunch of corrupt scumbags and how Tesla is so awesome that it is able to get ratings above a perfect score.

  3. neener neener neener by spirit_fingers · · Score: 5, Funny

    Liar liar car on fire!

  4. (preparing to duck my head) by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you like your Tesla safety rating, you can keep your Tesla safety rating.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
    1. Re:(preparing to duck my head) by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 3, Funny

      I voted for the Tesla safety rating before I voted against it.

      Was that so you could see what was in it?

  5. Re:Misleading by sahuxley · · Score: 2, Funny

    No, you're still misunderstanding. Musk is saying they got five separate ratings of 0.4 stars.

  6. Re:Sorry NHTSA by ElectricTurtle · · Score: 4, Funny

    Pfffff...... his sound system goes to 11 .4 , bitch!

    --
    I support the Slashcott and will not be reading or commenting from 2/10/14 to 2/17/14. Beta is steaming pile of dog shit
  7. Re:I wonder what Elon's rebuttal to this will be.. by MiniMike · · Score: 4, Funny

    The next Tesla ad will claim a safety rating of 11.0 stars from the NHTSA (small print: National Highway Tesla Sales Association).

  8. What a piece of Junk! by freeze128 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "She'll make .5 past light."
    "She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts."

  9. Re:Up next: "Zero Emissions" claim by bobbied · · Score: 3, Funny

    When it catches fire?

    It creates emissions then...

    --
    "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
  10. Re:Misleading by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not... Sure .. if I should take the advice from a 93 Escort wagon when it comes to car safety.