Tesla Entrepreneurs in Legal Battle
SAN CARLOS, CA --- Two Silicon Valley entrepreneurs -- Martin Eberhard and Elon Musk -- are embroiled in a legal battle over who deserves credit for "founding" Tesla Motors and who was responsible for the mistakes that temporarily threatened Tesla's survival.
SAN CARLOS, CA --- Two Silicon Valley entrepreneurs -- Martin Eberhard and Elon Musk -- are embroiled in a legal battle over who deserves credit for "founding" Tesla Motors and who was responsible for the mistakes that temporarily threatened Tesla's survival.
Earlier this decade, the electric vehicle manufacturer was plagued by production delays, management missteps and employee layoffs. But more recently, the automaker has shown signs of promise. Tesla has drawn an investment from Daimler AG and a low-interest loan of $465 million from the U.S. government, the Associated Press reported.
In a lawsuit filed in San Mateo County Superior Court, Eberhard claims that Musk has libeled and slandered him in media interviews and blogs. Eberhard, who left Tesla in 2007, is also suing to recover a $100,000 severance package the company withheld from him for allegedly violating a non-disparagement agreement.
Eberhard is asking a judge to prohibit Musk from referring to himself as Tesla's "founder" in press releases, blog postings and other public statements.
What's more, Eberhard alleges in the lawsuit that Tesla broke its promise to deliver the second produced Tesla Roadster to him.
Lawyers for Musk and Tesla on July 29 are expected to ask a judge to reject the lawsuit. Musk has said Eberhard's tenure as Tesla's CEO from 2004 to 2007 was disastrous.
More Green Fleet
The EV Breakdown Nobody's Talking About: Why Most Electric Vehicle Roadside Calls Aren't Mechanical Failures
Here's why EV breakdowns are widely misunderstood.
Read More →
ChargePoint Now Available in Energy Pass
ChargePoint and additional planned charging network integrations were added to GM's Energy Pass.
Read More →
First Look: Slate Auto's Electric Fleet Pickup
Could an affordable, modular EV pickup make electrification more practical for fleets?
Read More →
Slate Debuts Colorful, Unique EV Models
A recent media and client event, studded with electric vehicles dressed up on platforms, planted a new position for the manufacturer in the wider EV market. Fleets will find cost-saving advantages.
Read More →
Slate Electric SUV, Pickup Switchable Model Aims For Light-Duty Fleets
Everything about this EV is counterintuitive and understated, making it stand out from the crowd.
Read More →
Inspiration Mobility Acquires Key Electrada Assets
Inspiration Mobility Group has acquired select assets of Electrada, adding the fleet electrification provider's team, technology, and charging infrastructure development capabilities to its energy management business.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →
Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?
Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.
Read More →
Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges
For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.
Read More →