Her parents were injured in a Tesla crash. She ended up having to pay Tesla damages

Published On Feb 11, 2025, 8:43 PM

Zhang Yazhou faced significant financial and emotional distress following a car crash involving her Tesla Model 3. Tesla sued her for defamation after she publicly claimed that her car's brakes failed, leading to a crash that injured her family. A Chinese court sided with Tesla, ordering Zhang to pay damages of over $23,000 and publicly apologize. This case underscores Tesla's aggressive legal tactics in China, where the company has frequently sued customers and media outlets critical of its practices. This pattern of litigation appears to aim at silencing dissent and maintaining a favorable public image, raising concerns about consumer rights and accountability in the auto industry.