An “auto recall” last week, involving Tesla Motors, Inc., wasn’t a true recall but most media played it up as one, irritating the electric car maker’s founder and CEO Elon Musk who disputed use of the “recall” term, notes Grumpy Editor.
Ordinarily, a recall means returning a product --- whether auto, electric drill, baby carriage, etc. --- to a dealer.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) started use of the recall word by announcing Tesla was recalling 29,222 Model S electric sedans because parts of the charging equipment could overheat.
Musk immediately sent out word that there was “some confusion in media reports” and “no Tesla vehicles are being physically recalled by Tesla.”
Indeed, the action --- said to affect under 3 percent of the vehicles --- did not require physical return of the electric cars.
NHTSA later admitted Tesla had already begun providing owners of the affected vehicles with a software update followed by a replacement electrical adapter to eliminate the problem.
Tesla sent an over-the-air software update last month and is mailing an upgraded US 14-50 adapter to affected customers.
The NHTSA “recall” announcement was issued on the second day of the Detroit auto show where a Tesla executive revealed the firm’s 2013 fourth quarter deliveries surpassed expectations, with almost 6,900 vehicles sold and delivered.
Along with a mid-week announcement that Tesla is looking into a charging station network in China, the company’s stock --- despite the “recall” coverage --- closed Friday at $170.01, up 30.67 points from Monday’s $139.34 close.
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