Tesla said on Monday that the U.S. Department of Justice had requested documents and issued a subpoena from the company to review issues such as its driver assistance system Autopilot and vehicle range. Tesla said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it had received requests for information from the U.S. Department of Justice "including subpoenas." These include requests for documents related to Tesla's Autopilot and FSD (Full Self-Driving) capabilities, as well as other "information related to personal interests, related parties, vehicle range and personnel decisions."
Previous media reports stated that Tesla is under criminal investigation by the Department of Justice because of the company’s claims that its electric vehicles can “autonomously drive.” As early as August this year, there were reports that federal prosecutors were also investigating Tesla's vehicle performance claims and Tesla's use of company funds for a secret project, the much-discussed "Glass House" project.
It is reported that the project has been described internally as a house for CEO Musk, and media reported in July that Tesla board members had investigated whether company resources were misused on the project and whether Musk himself was involved.
In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating Autopilot issues for more than two years after more than a dozen crashes in which Tesla vehicles struck stationary vehicles.
Tesla also said its 2023 capital spending will exceed the $7 billion to $9 billion target it set earlier this year as it ramps up output at its factories and prepares to launch new models. However, a regulatory filing showed the company's spending is expected to return to a range of $7 billion to $9 billion over the next two years.
Musk said last week that Tesla was hesitant about building a factory in Mexico because of the turbulent economic outlook. He warned that rising interest rates could affect demand for Tesla, coupled with a price war this year to maintain sales that has eroded profit margins.