© Reuters.
The U.S. Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and National Transportation Safety Board are currently investigating Tesla (NASDAQ:)’s business practices. The focus is on the actual driving range of its vehicles, specifically the Model Y sport utility vehicle, and potential “personal benefits” to executives or large shareholders. This probe follows allegations that the company misled customers about its vehicles’ driving range before recharging.
Reports suggest that Tesla’s vehicles did not meet the Environmental Protection Agency specified range in road tests. In contrast, competing electric vehicles such as Ford (NYSE:) Mach-E, Volkswagen (ETR:) ID.4 S.U.V.s, and Hyundai (OTC:) Ioniq 5 either exceeded or closely met their claimed warm-weather ranges.
The Wall Street Journal reported a U.S. attorney’s office investigation into potential misuse of funds for a house planned for CEO Elon Musk near Tesla’s Texas factory. In a S.E.C. filing, Tesla disclosed government subpoenas for documents related to “personal benefits” and unidentified “related parties,” potentially referring to top management or significant shareholders.
Tesla also revealed subpoenas related to its self-driving software, which is under scrutiny for causing accidents resulting in deaths and injuries. No government agency has found any wrongdoing so far, with Tesla cooperating fully with all investigations.
Various local and international authorities are requesting information from Tesla regarding these issues. The company’s shares have dropped following a third-quarter profit slump due to price slashes. Despite these ongoing investigations, Tesla continues to cooperate with authorities while maintaining regular business operations.
According to InvestingPro data, Tesla’s market capitalization stands at a robust 678.38 billion USD, and its revenue for the last twelve months was 95.92 billion USD, showing a growth of 28.13%. The company’s return on assets for the same period was 12.76%, indicating efficient use of its assets to generate earnings. These metrics underscore the company’s financial strength, even amid the ongoing investigations.
InvestingPro Tips suggest that Tesla yields a high return on invested capital and holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet. These factors could be indicative of the company’s ability to weather the current challenges. However, the stock has taken a significant hit over the last week, and its price movements are known to be quite volatile. Investors are advised to be cautious and make informed decisions. For more insightful tips, you can visit InvestingPro, which offers a wealth of knowledge on various companies including Tesla.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
Read the full article here
