Shareholders of Tesla have initiated legal action against the company and its CEO, Elon Musk, regarding its robotaxi service. The lawsuit, filed in a U.S. federal court, accuses both Tesla and Musk personally of making false statements concerning the safety of their autonomous vehicles.
The plaintiffs, a group of shareholders, assert that Musk`s conduct has damaged Tesla`s reputation and contributed to a decline in its market value. They specifically cited instances where Tesla`s self-driving taxis allegedly created hazardous situations on public roads.
Furthermore, the lawsuit highlights that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) commenced an investigation in late June into alleged traffic violations committed by Tesla`s robotaxis.
Gizmodo journalists have also accused Elon Musk of misleading shareholders. They recalled Tesla`s unveiling of the Cybercab in October 2024, touted as a fully autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals. However, Gizmodo suggests that Tesla is currently deploying standard Tesla vehicles with human drivers for its “robotaxi” service, passing them off as fully autonomous. The publication also noted Tesla`s general unresponsiveness to journalistic inquiries.
Reportedly, in late July, Tesla launched a conventional taxi service in San Francisco, California, instead of a truly autonomous one, citing a lack of necessary permits. Prior to this, Tesla`s robotaxis had been observed operating in Texas in June.
Rupert Blackwood 
Barnaby Whitfield