Connect with us

News

Tesla files lawsuit against ex-employee for sabotage, misreporting to media

Published

on

Tesla filed a lawsuit in a Nevada court today against Martin Tripp, one of its former process technicians, over allegations of hacking, exporting confidential data to outside entities, and misreporting to the media.

Tesla’s lawsuit comes just days after Elon Musk sent out an email to employees informing them that a disgruntled employee has committed sabotage against the company. Sent on Sunday night, Musk’s email did not identify the alleged saboteur, though the CEO noted that what the employee has admitted to so far has been serious. Musk’s email further noted that the employee’s sabotage attempts were made in retaliation of a failed promotion.

Tesla’s lawsuit, which could be accessed in full here, provides a background of Tripp’s employment at Tesla and some of the circumstances that led him to act against the company. According to Tesla’s suit, Tripp started his employment back in October 2017 as a process technician, which gave him access to confidential information pertaining to several facets of Tesla’s manufacturing operations. Eventually, however, Tripp was allegedly unhappy in his role, complaining that his post was not “sufficiently senior.”

Tesla noted that Tripp was eventually reassigned to a new role on May 17, 2018, after his managers identified job performance problems and a tendency to be combative and disruptive to his colleagues. Tripp allegedly expressed anger over his reassignment, retaliating by initiating an attack on Tesla.

The Elon Musk-led company’s suit alleges that on June 14 and 15, Tesla investigators interviewed Tripp about his misconduct. While he allegedly denied any wrongdoing, he eventually admitted to several offenses after evidence was presented. Tripp admitted to writing software that hacked the Tesla Manufacturing Operating System and transferring several gigabytes worth of confidential and proprietary data to outside entities. Among these are images and a video of Tesla’s manufacturing operations. Tripp also admitted that he attempted to recruit additional sources inside Gigafactory 1 to share data outside the company.

Advertisement

Tesla further notes that Tripp had authored a hacking software that could have compromised other employees. Tripp had allegedly misreported to the media as well, making false claims about the quality of the battery modules being installed on the Tesla Model 3.   

“While its investigation is still in the early stages, Tesla has also discovered that Tripp authored hacking software and placed it onto the computer systems of three other individuals at the company so that confidential Tesla data could be persistently exported off its network from these other systems to unknown third parties.

“Tripp also made false claims about the information he stole from Tesla. Tripp claimed that punctured battery cells had been used in some Model 3 customer vehicles even though the evidence clearly demonstrates that no punctured cells were ever used. Tripp also used the Tesla data that he exported to grossly overstate the true amount and value of “scrap” material that Tesla generated during the manufacturing process, and he falsely claimed that Tesla was delayed in bringing new manufacturing equipment online at the Gigafactory.”

Tesla has outlined five claims for relief in its lawsuit against the former employee, including violations described in the Defend Trade Secrets Act, the Nevada Uniform Trade Secrets Act, and the Nevada Computer Crimes Law. Tesla is also suing Tripp for Breach of Contract and Breach of Fiduciary Duty of Loyalty.

Tesla is yet to provide a statement about the recently filed lawsuit. Musk, however, addressed the lawsuit in a recent tweet. 

Advertisement

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

Comments

News

Tesla updates its “FSD” branding in China

The functions of the systems, despite their updated names, remain unchanged.

Published

on

Credit: @DriveGreen80167/X

Tesla has tweaked the naming of its smart driving system offerings in China, with the company dropping “FSD” terminology from its vehicle order pages. The update was observed by industry watchers earlier this week.

Names Adjusted, Features Intact

Tesla China’s RMB 64,000 ($8,820) package—once listed as “FSD Intelligent Assisted Driving”—has been updated to “Intelligent Assisted Driving.” Its RMB 32,000 mid-tier system, previously dubbed “Enhanced Version Automated Assisted Driving”, has also been updated to “Enhanced Assisted Driving.”

Tesla’s basic Autopilot system, which was previously dubbed “Basic Version Assisted Driving,” has been changed to “Basic Assisted Driving” as well. Even the system’s umbrella term has been updated from “Autopilot Automated Assisted Driving” to simply “Assisted Driving Package.”

It should be noted that the functions of the systems, despite their updated names, remain unchanged, as noted in a CNEV Post report.

FSD’s China Evolution

Tesla China rolled out its first set of FSD features in late February, though the company made it a point to not brand the update as a release of “Full Self-Driving” features. Tesla China implemented a naming change to FSD at the time, updating its top-tier RMB 64,000 package’s name from “Full Self-driving Capability” to “FSD Intelligent Assisted Driving.” Tesla also launched an offer that allowed customers in China to experience the newly-released FSD features for free until April 16, though reports later suggested that the program was paused.

Cautious Steps Forward

Tesla has not explained the reasons behind FSD’s name change in China, though it seems to suggest that the company may be taking a rather cautious approach towards the eventual, planned release of an autonomous driving system in the country. As it is today, FSD is very capable and its real-world tests in China are very impressive. However, it is still not an unsupervised self-driving system. It would then not be surprising if “Full Self-Driving” terminology in China is reintroduced once unsupervised FSD is released.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Elon Musk

Tesla faces Trump’s 25% tariffs as Musk stays silent

Trump’s 25% tariffs could help Tesla or mess up its supply chain. How will Giga Texas and the Fremont Factory respond to Trump’s tariffs? 

Published

on

The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
(Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

Tesla faces a fresh hurdle after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on all non-U.S.-made cars on Wednesday. The President clarified that Elon Musk stayed silent and provided no input into the 25% tariffs.

“He may have a conflict,” Trump noted. He added that Musk, who heads Tesla and the efficiency-driven DOGE initiative, has never asked for business favors.

Trump’s tariffs are set to begin on April 2 for imported cars, and by May 3, the levies will hit imported auto parts, stirring questions about Tesla’s fate. Trump told reporters the impact might be “net neutral or good,” mentioning Tesla’s plants in Austin, Texas, and Fremont, California.

“Anybody with plants in the U.S.—it’s going to be good for them,” he said. Yet Tesla recently warned the U.S. Trade Representative in a letter that “certain parts and components are difficult or impossible” to source domestically, even with ‘aggressive localization.’ The company urged caution over the “downstream impacts” of trade actions.

Advertisement

According to CNBC, Tesla and other automakers rely on foreign suppliers in Mexico, Canada, and China for headlamps, brakes, glass, suspension parts, and circuit boards. Musk has commented that Trump’s tariffs would significantly impact Tesla.

Trump’s tariffs have affected companies abroad, including Tesla suppliers in India. Competition is heating up as more brands roll out electric models, though China’s BYD remains barred from U.S. sales. Shares of Tesla, General Motors, Ford, and Rivian dipped slightly after hours following the announcement.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla suppliers in India hit by Trump’s 25% Auto Tariffs

Trump’s new 25% auto tariffs shook India’s auto market. Tesla suppliers like Tata Motors saw stocks plunge.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla China

Tesla suppliers in India, including Tata Motors and key auto parts makers, saw sharp declines on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled plans to impose 25% tariffs on all imported cars and auto parts.

According to the Trump Administration, the U.S. President’s 25% tariffs will hit imported cars and light trucks coming into the United States by April 2, 2025. By May 3, 2025, Trump’s tariffs will extend to include auto parts. The decision sent shockwaves through the global auto industry, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk noting on X that the impact on the EV giant is “significant.”

Despite Musk’s words, many believe that Tesla will benefit from Trump’s tariffs. Although, it would probably adversely affect Tesla’s plans to enter the Indian market. Tesla has already started the certification process for two vehicles in India.

Following Trump’s tariff announcements, Tata Motors dropped 5%, while Sona Comstar, Tesla’s largest Indian supplier, fell over 4%, dragging the auto sector down 1.2% in India, the world’s third-largest auto market. Reuters reported that Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), which exports luxury vehicles from the UK and Slovakia, relies heavily on the U.S. as a key market.

Other Indian suppliers felt the strain as well. Samvardhana Motherson, a major auto parts provider, slipped over 2%. Meanwhile, Tesla supplier Bharat Forgedipped by 0.4%. The U.S. accounts for 20% of Samvardhana’s revenue and 40% of Sona Comstar’s, with North America as its dominant region. The downturn echoed broader losses among global carmakers like Toyota, Hyundai, Stellantis, and Ford–all of which saw shares slide after the tariff news broke.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending