For Tesla Probe, US Regulators Seek Data From 12 Automakers

The US highway safety watchdog asked 12 automakers Tuesday to provide data on their driver assistance systems as part of a preliminary investigation of Tesla, whose cars were involved in several accidents with first responder vehicles. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration seeks to conduct a benchmark analysis of vehicles whose models have the ability, under certain circumstances, to automatically control both the steering and the breaking or acceleration. NHTSA sent letters, dated September 13 and seen by AFP, to BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Stellantis, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen. The agency began its probe in August after documenting 11 Tesla accidents since early 2018 involving a car from the company founded by tech titan Elon Musk and emergency vehicles including police cruisers. The incidents included one fatal crash and seven that resulted in injuries to a total of 17 people, according to the NHTSA.