Tesla Faces Investigation Over Alleged Misleading Statements on Self-Driving Capabilities and Possible Wire Fraud

U.S. prosecutors are investigating whether Tesla committed securities or wire fraud by misleading investors and consumers about the self-driving capabilities of its electric vehicles. The Justice Department is examining statements made by Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, suggesting that their cars can drive themselves, despite the Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems being assistive technologies rather than fully autonomous. The investigation comes amid separate probes by U.S. regulators into hundreds of crashes involving Teslas with Autopilot engaged, which resulted in a mass recall by the automaker.