Tesla says its self-driving technology may be a 'failure' but not fraud - Los Angeles Times

In its defense, Tesla lawyers said that "mere failure to realize a long-term, aspirational goal is not fraud." That argument is contained in a motion to dismiss the case that was filed last week in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. The main plaintiff is Briggs Matsko, a resident of Rancho Murieta, Calif. If the case goes forward, it could lead to deposition of Tesla employees who helped develop the technology and reveal what Musk knew and didn't know about its true capabilities when he made numerous forecasts over the years -- including the prediction that there would be a million Tesla robotaxis on the road by the end of 2020, that customers could make $30,000 a year hiring them out, and that their cars would appreciate in value. Tesla lawyers are attempting to prevent that information from going public.