Tesla (TSLA) Sues BBC's Top Gear for Libel, Falsehood in Roadster Review

Tesla Motors (Nasdaq: TSLA) filed a complaint in London's High Court Wednesday, alleging libel and malicious falsehood against the BBC's most popular show, Top Gear.

One of the show's presenters, Jeremy Clarkston, said although the car is quick, the range on Tesla's Roadster is limited. Clarkston claimed Tesla's Roadster ran out of juice after 55 miles, compared to the 200 million range the Palo Alto, CA-based automaker claimed it had. Tesla alleges the scene where the Roadster was shown running out of energy was faked, according to the filing.

This would be a material event to Tesla, as a 260% overstatement of battery life may impact a buyers decision to go with Tesla in the future, rather than General Motors (NYSE: GM) or Ford (NYSE: F). According to Bloomberg, the filing stated Top Gear's claim of 55 miles implies Tesla "grossly misled potential purchasers of the Roadster."

Notably, the program Tesla filed a complaint about was broadcast in December 2008; click here to watch the full ten minute review.

Top Gear has an audience of six million in the U.K. and viewership of 350 million internationally.

Tesla shares are trading 0.6 percent lower Wednesday morning.

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• Tesla (TSLA) call put ratio 1.9 calls to 1 put with a focus on 3600 contracts of September 4 weekly 130 puts
• US automaker stocks fall after Trump announces Canada tariff hike
• Zillow and Redfin settle FTC antitrust case over listing partnership