Tesla, Elon Musk’s renowned tech and automotive enterprise, faces a significant setback as it recalls nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks due to reported issues with the accelerator pedal. The timing couldn’t be worse for Musk, with the recall coinciding with a drop in Tesla’s stock for the sixth consecutive day and Musk losing his status as one of the world’s richest individuals to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, according to Bloomberg’s billionaire index.
The decision to recall all Cybertrucks manufactured between November 2023 and April 2024 follows a viral video posted by owner Jose Martinez, highlighting concerns about the accelerator pedal malfunctioning, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly accelerate. This alarming incident mirrors something out of a dystopian “Knight Rider” reboot.
The recall announcement comes at a critical juncture as Musk endeavors to persuade Tesla investors to reapprove a colossal $56 billion pay package. This compensation plan was invalidated by a judge in January, citing unfairness to shareholders due to insufficient independence among the approving investors, who were perceived as too aligned with Musk.
This latest Cybertruck recall compounds Tesla’s growing list of safety and security issues. Prior recalls affecting over 2 million Tesla vehicles in February due to warning light malfunctions and a similar-scale recall in December due to autopilot software issues underscore the company’s challenges in maintaining product reliability. Additionally, Tesla’s subpar ranking by the Mozilla Foundation in safeguarding user data, coupled with reports of internal sharing of sensitive customer videos and images, further tarnish its reputation.
Amidst these concerns, the irony isn’t lost that Musk has vocally criticized airline companies for prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, alleging they compromise passenger safety, while Tesla grapples with its own safety lapses.
All told, given the choice between a Tesla ride or opting for a stroll, investing in some comfortable insoles might just be the safer bet.
