Tesla, the electric car giant, has won the antitrust lawsuit filed against it, accusing the company of monopolizing the vehicle maintenance and spare parts markets, forcing customers to pay high prices and endure long waits for repairs.
The antitrust lawsuit against Tesla, the electric car company owned by entrepreneur Elon Musk, has been dismissed in the United States. In the lawsuit, Tesla was accused of monopolizing the vehicle maintenance and spare parts markets, allegedly leading customers to pay high prices and endure long waits for repairs.
U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson in San Francisco ruled on Friday that the plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit failed to prove that customers were unaware of alleged issues when purchasing their vehicles or could not predict the costs of keeping their vehicles in working condition.
The judge also stated that the customers could not prove that Tesla forced them to use its services and parts just because they initially purchased their vehicles.
In the decision text, Judge Thompson stated, "Plaintiffs allege that the defendant misled them about how much maintenance their electric vehicles would require and how long that maintenance would take. However, plaintiffs do not allege anywhere that consumers were unaware of the purportedly supra-competitive prices and exorbitant wait times."
Judge Thompson also rejected claims under California consumer protection laws. She said that the customers could choose to amend their complaints, which combine five lawsuits and cover drivers who have been paying for Tesla repairs and parts since March 2019.
According to the complaint, drivers with traditionally powered vehicles can get repairs done at dealerships or independent stores and use parts produced by original manufacturers or other companies. However, Tesla differs by requiring owners to have their vehicle maintenance done by the Texas-based company or its authorized service centers and insisting on the use of only Tesla parts.
