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Tesla Motors Incorporated has sued the top rating British television show as a result of a segment on the car which claimed to show a car running out of electric power.
The segment was first broadcast back in December 2008, but Tesla has acted following re-runs in a number of countries including Australia. However, there is no impact in Australia.
"It's purely an international thing being handled from California. There are no implications for Australia," says Jay McCormack, spokesman for Tesla Australia.
In the Top Gear story, presented by Jeremy Clarkson, the Tesla was shown running out of plug-in battery power after 88 kilometres, well short of the 320-kilometre range claimed by the company. In its lawsuit, Tesla claims a scene where the car was pushed into a garage was faked.
While Tesla is attacking Top Gear in the courts, the company is accelerating its sales plans for Australia. "We've been here on the ground since late last year and we began delivering cars in January. We've sold six now," says McCormack.
The Teslar Roadster 2.5 sells for $206,188 in Australia, before on- road costs.
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