Tesla has sued its own customers and journalists in China for defamation – and won just about every time

Summary

Zhang Yazhou, whose parents were injured in a Tesla crash in China, was sued by Tesla for defamation after publicly alleging brake failure. A court ruled against her, ordering her to pay $23,000 and apologize.

Tesla has aggressively sued multiple Chinese customers and journalists for complaints or negative coverage, winning most cases.

The company enjoys strong government backing in China, benefiting from regulatory advantages and court successes.

Tesla’s legal strategy has sparked concerns about consumer rights, corporate influence, and its relationship with U.S. and Chinese authorities.

  • Jo Miran@lemmy.mlEnglish
    701·
    8 days ago

    Nobody, under any circumstance, should buy a swastikar. Not even used.

  • Mothra@mander.xyzEnglish
    412·
    8 days ago

    Absolutely disgusting I hope she can get away without paying. Ridiculous

  • Buffalox@lemmy.worldEnglish
    371·
    8 days ago

    This sounds extremely fishy, how can she lose a case about repeating something her father said?
    I don’t see any way whatsoever that Tesla can bring evidence that her father didn’t say what she claims.
    The Chinese courts may be corrupt, that’s the only logical way I can see for Tesla winning such a case, or the laws are tilted against consumers.

    The government gave Tesla a super status that put consumers in a very vulnerable position

    Ah yes China Communist Party working for the people. 🤪

    so Zhang asked the automaker to turn over the full pre-crash data from her car,

    Those clearly need to be accessible to the owner without asking Tesla. anything else is a failure of regulation, and favoring the car maker over the consumers that use the cars.

    Tesla refused to turn over the full data and mediation went nowhere.

    Hiding evidence, yet they won the case?

    Tesla’s commercial and political success in China has hinged on the support of a powerful patron: Li Qiang, the former party boss of Shanghai who is now China’s premier, second in rank only to President Xi Jinping.

    China also adopted an emissions credit scheme modeled after a U.S. program that has generated billions in income for Tesla.

    Oh, so it’s all down to corruption, just like how Tesla miraculously suddenly became profitable in USA.