Tesla Inc. convinced a jury that its Autopilot technology wasn’t responsible for a crash that killed a California driver four years ago, vindicating the driver-assistance system that’s a core part of Elon Musk’s efforts to make his electric-car company stand out from rivals.
Tesla’s eight-year experiment with semi-autonomous driving is mired in controversy even as Musk has maintained that the technology makes his cars the safest ever produced.Tesla’s stock gained about 1% on the verdict and was trading at $201.97 at 3:10 pm in New York.have wiped out almost one-fifth of their value in less than two weeks amid growing concerns that demand for electric cars is starting to weaken.
The company contended Lee had been drinking alcohol before he got behind the wheel and that there was no evidence he had even activated Autopilot before the collision.“The jury’s conclusion was the right one,” said Brian Jazaeri, Tesla’s senior litigation director. “It’s undeniable that a national lens is now focused on this pressing matter,” Michaels said. “Tesla, despite its stature, was pushed to its limits during the trial. The jury’s prolonged deliberation suggests that the verdict still casts a shadow of uncertainty.”