The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla's certification that its new Cybercab meets all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
The probe, formally designated as an Audit Query, was opened on Sept. 3 and covers an estimated 1,000 Cybercab vehicles, according to an NHTSA investigation document made public on Friday. It will examine the process and technical data Tesla relied upon when certifying the Cybercab, as well as related issues. Tesla began commercial deployment of a small number of Cybercab vehicles in Austin, Texas, on Thursday and notified the agency that it had certified the vehicles as compliant with all applicable FMVSS. Tesla also told the NHTSA that it plans to gradually expand commercial deployment of the Cybercab to include additional vehicles and locations.
The vehicles lack permanently attached conventional manual controls, such as a brake pedal, gas pedal, steering wheel and mirrors, according to the NHTSA.
The agency said the inquiry will examine, among other issues, the extent to which Tesla's certification depended on determinations that certain FMVSS are inapplicable to the Cybercab.
In the United States, the NHTSA establishes vehicle performance requirements, while automakers must certify that their vehicles meet applicable standards before entering the U.S. market, subject to agency oversight to confirm compliance. The NHTSA said it conducts investigations when certified vehicles appear not to adhere to those requirements.
U.S. regulator opens probe into Tesla Cybercab self-certification
Chinese motorcycle manufacturer ZXMOTO secured another strong podium finish in Race 1 of the World Supersport (WorldSSP) class at the French round of the Superbike World Championship (WSBK) on Saturday, adding to a successful season that already includes victories in Portugal, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Italy.
French rider Valentin Debise rode ZXMOTO's 820RR-RS to a third place on home soil, while his teammate Federico Caricasulo placed fifth.
The result keeps Debise firmly second in the riders' standings with 225 points, while ZXMOTO remains third in the manufacturers' standings with 227 points. Race 2 of the French round is scheduled for Sunday local time.
Despite the podium finish, Debise expressed slight disappointment post-race, believing the motorcycle had the potential for an even better result. He acknowledged making a mistake in the early stages of the race.
"Ultimately, the positive thing is that, despite the circumstances and the fact that I was far back after making those mistakes, I kept my head down and did my best to fight my way back and finished third," said Debise.
ZXMOTO Team Manager Fabio Evangelista praised the machine's performance, highlighting its parity with established industry giants.
"Our bike, and ZXMOTO with this 820RR, showed that the Chinese products, especially in terms of motorcycles, are at the same level of European or Japanese [products], and maybe better, because we are fighting for the title. That means that the product really performs very well and is a very quality product. This is the feeling of the people in Europe, because [after] talking with many people, I have received from them this kind of feeling," said Evangelista.
Chinese brand ZXMOTO secures another podium finish at WSBK French round
