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Normally, when something goes wrong with a new car, customers sue automakers. However, in China, the opposite is happening, with Tesla suing a disgruntled customer who publicly criticized the electric car and awarding him tens of thousands of dollars.
The Associated Press, an independent news agency, reports that Chinese Tesla owner Zhang Yazhou dared to publicly criticize the quality of her electric car, which allegedly had faulty brakes, which led to an accident. In response, Tesla sued her for defamation. The Chinese Themis ordered the car owner to pay Tesla the equivalent of $23 in compensation and publicly apologize to the manufacturer.
Tesla has a long history of dubious victories in Chinese courts. The Associated Press reports that over the past four years, Tesla has sued six Chinese Tesla owners who experienced sudden breakdowns, quality defects or accidents and decided to report them on social media. Of the 81 quality and safety lawsuits filed by customers against Tesla, the car owners have won only nine. The company has also sued at least six bloggers for public criticism.
