Elon Musk tells Tesla owner don’t complain about buggy driving system

Musk scolded a Tesla owner who posted videos to Twitter on Aug 24 showing that a new beta version of the system marketed as Full Self-Driving at times struggles with right turns and other basic tasks. — AFP

Elon Musk doesn’t want to hear complaints from customers trying out the driver-assistance system Tesla Inc plans to start charging US$15,000 (RM67,282) for in the coming weeks.

The chief executive officer scolded a Tesla owner who posted videos to Twitter on Aug 24 showing that a new beta version of the system marketed as Full Self-Driving at times struggles with right turns and other basic tasks. The customer wrote that he’s spent more than US$32,000 (RM143,264) paying for the system multiple times.

ALSO READ: Tesla raising price of driver-assistance system to US$15,000

“10.69 is in limited release for a reason,” Musk replied, referring to the latest version of the system rolled out to select customers last week. “Please do not ask to be included in early beta releases and then complain.”

Musk announced over the weekend that Tesla will start charging US$3,000 (RM13,456) more for the system that, contrary to its name, still requires active driver supervision and doesn’t make the company’s vehicles autonomous.

ALSO READ: Tesla Autopilot probe casts eye on role of in-car camera

California’s Department of Motor Vehicles has accused Tesla of misleading consumers, and the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating whether the automaker’s Autopilot technology is defective.

NHTSA also scrutinised Tesla last year for subjecting Full Self-Driving beta testers to non-disclosure agreements that may have impeded access to information the agency needed to assess the program.

ALSO READ: Tesla Autopilot defect probe spirals as US reviews 191 crashes

While the carmaker encouraged customers to share their experience with the system, it asked them to do so selectively, citing concerns that critics who wanted the company to fail would mischaracterise feedback shared on social media.

In October, Musk confirmed Tesla had dropped the NDA. A few months later, the company terminated an employee days after he posted a YouTube video of his car running into a traffic pylon while using Full Self-Driving.

Musk has written in the past that he appreciates critical feedback and urged his Twitter followers in February to seek out negative assessments. – Bloomberg