This is not the first time that Tesla has faced accusations about brake failures in its car models in China.
Tesla has said to assist the Chinese police probing into a fatal car crash involving its Model Y. The accident took place in Chaozhou, in China’s Guangdong Province, on November 5 and the Chinese media reported that two people lost their lives while three sustained injuries when a driver lost control of the Tesla vehicle.
“Police are currently seeking a third party appraisal agency to identify the truth behind this accident and we will actively provide any necessary assistance,” the electric vehicle maker told Reuters, cautioning against believing rumors.
The media organization further reported that the U.S. car manufacturer said the video shows that the car’s brake lights were not on when it was speeding. In addition to this, the car’s data showed that there was no action taken to step on the car brakes throughout its journey.
The footage of the unfortunate incident emerged on several social media platforms and showed the white Model Y slowly pulling into the roadside but suddenly picking up speed while racing through busy areas. The vehicle is seen hitting a person on a bicycle and other vehicles after which it slammed into a building to finally stop. The incident killed a motorcyclist and a high school girl, according to Jimu News.
The driver is identified as a 55-year-old male surnamed Zhan, according to reports. A family member informed the local media that the driver faced some issues with the brake pedal when he was about to pull over in front of his family store. It is ruled out that the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
This is not the first time that Tesla has faced accusations about brake failures in its car models in China. Last year at the Shanghai Auto Show, an unhappy customer climbed atop one of Tesla’s exhibits claiming that the company’s EVs had brake failure problems. The stint made an international headline and was widely shared on various social media platforms.