Tesla braces for its first trial involving Autopilot fatality

Visitors look at a Tesla Model 3 electric vehicle (EV ) at the third China International Consumer Products Expo, in Haikou, Hainan province, China April 12, 2023. REUTERS/Casey Hall

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Tesla Inc is set to defend itself for the first time at trial against allegations that failure of its Autopilot driver assistant feature led to death, in what will likely be a major test of Chief Executive Elon Musk's assertions about the technology.

Self-driving capability is central to Tesla’s financial future, according to Musk, whose own reputation as an engineering leader is being challenged with allegations by plaintiffs in one of two lawsuits that he personally leads the group behind technology that failed. Wins by Tesla could raise confidence and sales for the software, which costs up to $15,000 per vehicle.