The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating claims made by Tesla CEO Elon Musk regarding the company’s autopilot vehicle feature.
The review by the SEC is looking into whether or not Musk wrongly made forward-looking statements regarding Tesla’s self-driving vehicle system, according to an unidentified person with knowledge on the situation. Musk has discussed the possibility of Tesla vehicles having a self-driving feature since at least 2016, a possibility that still is not a reality, according to Bloomberg.
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It is not clear what specific statements made by Musk about the autopilot feature the SEC is investigating.
A 2016 video directed by Musk showcased the possibilities of Tesla’s self-driving feature. In a behind-the-scenes look at the video, Musk told Tesla staff in internal emails that he would be “telling the world that this is what the car *will* be able to do,” and “not that it can do this upon receipt.”
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The SEC’s investigation of Tesla’s autopilot feature is one of several inquiries Tesla is facing, as the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is conducting two investigations into whether the electric car company’s autopilot feature is defective. Additionally, the Justice Department is investigating whether Tesla’s comments regarding its self-driving feature are misleading.
The Washington Examiner has contacted the SEC for comment.
