Tesla whistleblower says Musk wanted to deport her team for raising brake issue
Former Tesla engineer Christina Balan, who was fired in 2014, said in an interview that her entire team was threatened with deportation for taking her side when she brought up a brake safety issue directly to Elon Musk. She’s now succeeded in throwing out Tesla’s arbitration case against her, and hopes to meet Tesla directly in open court in a case that could influence corporate policy nationwide.
Christina Balan is a Romanian-born engineer who formerly worked for Tesla on the Model S. Her contributions were significant enough that her initials appeared on the Model S’ battery pack.
But in 2014, she brought up what she considered a safety issue directly with Elon Musk. She thought that the Model S’ floor mats could cause a brake safety issue, similar to a situation that Toyota had recently gone through (though that also led to a media firestorm that blew the issue out of proportion). She said that Tesla had chosen suppliers based on friendships, not quality.
And she brought it up directly to Musk because… he told her to. Famously, in 2013, Musk sent out an email to the entire company stating:
Anyone at Tesla can and should email/talk to anyone else according to what they think is the fastest way to solve a problem for the benefit of the whole company. You can talk to your manager’s manager without his permission, you can talk directly to a VP in another dept, you can talk to me, you can talk to anyone without anyone else’s permission. Moreover, you should consider yourself obligated to do so until the right thing happens.
-Elon Musk, email to all Tesla employees, March 21, 2013
A few days after sending that email, Balan said she was offered a meeting with Musk, but that when she showed up to the meeting, it was instead attended by a lawyer and some large men in uniforms, and with Tesla forcing her to resign her position.
During that meeting, Balan says that Tesla’s lawyer threatened to deport many members of her team, who were currently waiting on green card applications, if she didn’t sign the resignation, seemingly in response to her team backing her up in raising these concerns. She ended up signing the resignation in protest, writing on it that “I’m resigning for the position that I was put in a month ago bc I dare to speak up to the Sr management, also bc people that had the chance to speak up were threatened…”
When Balan’s case got coverage in Huffington Post in 2017, Tesla sent a statement that Balan had stolen company resources to work on a “secret” personal project (Tesla emails show that Balan was told to work on this project by leadership). After this, Balan says she faced difficulty in finding work as companies feared ending up on Musk’s blacklist.
Balan filed a defamation suit over the press statement, but Tesla forced her case into arbitration and got the defamation suit thrown out. Forced arbitration is widely used by companies in America to find faster and more corporate-friendly rulings, an approach that has only become more common after endorsement by the “Supreme” Court.
Balan then appealed that decision, and after many delays (some related to her fight against breast cancer, which is now in remission), she finally succeeded in getting the arbitration thrown out on Monday – even though she represented herself, pro se, for most of the proceedings.
Her win could be significant for corporate policy nationwide, as it could serve to chill the overuse of arbitration which is seen by most observers as giving disproportionate power to companies in labor disputes. However, given the nature of the court’s recent finding, which was found to be a jurisdictional issue, this decision may not be directly applicable to many other arbitration cases.
Now, Balan wants to face Tesla in open court with her case, and hopes to bring more of her story to the public – which she says Musk has tried to stop her from doing, despite his claims of being a “free speech absolutist.”
She said so in an interview this weekend with The Times UK, a media organization owned by climate denier Rupert Murdoch, who is also the father of James Murdoch, a Tesla boardmember.
In the interview, Balan describes working conditions under Musk, and that he was a mostly-absent CEO who only showed up to the office twice a month, would threaten or retaliate against those who tried to fix problems. She says that she wants to take her case to open court “to prove how vindictive this monster is. He’s pure evil… he’s enjoying hurting people… and you don’t know about them because he’s forcing everybody to give up their freedom of speech and their right to sue.”
You can watch the whole interview below:
Electrek’s Take
We haven’t written about Balan’s case before because it’s been such a long time coming, and filled with various arcane legal wranglings. There will likely be more steps to come, many of which are boring legal maneuvers, but perhaps this case will now have a chance to go more public now that the arbitration decision has been thrown out.
And, frankly, I think the initial complaint over floor mats was probably not all that significant of a blockbuster. At the time, floor mats were getting a lot of focus due to the high-profile nature of the Toyota case (which was also overstated), so I think Balan’s team was probably more wary than usual. And we didn’t go on to see a slate of floor mat problems with the Model S in the time since.
However, Tesla’s response to bringing up the safety issue is still unacceptable (to say the least). Not only were all employees told to take steps like this to get problems solved by the CEO himself, but the strong-arm nature of a quick firing in response, and then threatening her team with deportation is beyond the pale.
While we only have Balan’s words as evidence for the deportation threat, we have since seen Musk take vindictive actions against entire teams, and seen his anti-immigrant attitudes including the desire to deport people illegally.
Recently Musk fired the entire supercharger team, in what was probably the dumbest business decision Tesla has ever made, reportedly because Rebecca Tinucci, a star of the auto industry and the head of the most successful team in Tesla, refused to fire more people.
(Incidentally, another longtime Tesla exec who was fired at the same time as the whole Supercharger team, Daniel Ho, had previously praised Balan, saying “without creative engineers like you, this place would be just another car company”)
And Musk is also the largest financial backer of an administration that is currently illegally deporting US citizens to a prison famous for beatings, overcrowding and food deprivation that some have called a place to “dispose of people without formally applying the death penalty.”
He has spent much of his public advocacy in recent years showing racist and anti-immigrant attitudes, including support for German neo-Nazis and agreeing with a defense of Hitler’s actions in the Holocaust. He’s focused more on pushing his white supremacist views than on anything to do with EVs and climate change (which he’s now pushing denial of), thus working against Tesla’s mission.
So, making deportation threats against immigrants does not seem out of character, despite Musk being a formerly “illegal” immigrant himself.
Either way, we look forward to hearing more about this case as it goes on, in the hopes that it can both elucidate more for the public what the real Elon Musk is like, and possibly do something to reduce, ever so slightly, the abuse of the arbitration system by companies.
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Lease deals get all the hype, but most people still want to own the car after they’re done making all those payments on it. If that sounds like you, and you’ve been waiting for the interest rates on auto loans to drop, you’re in luck: there are a bunch of great plug-in cars you can buy with 0% financing in May, 2025!
As I was putting this list together, I realized there were plenty of ways for me to present this information. “Best EVs ..?” Too opinion based. “Cheapest EVs ..?” Too much research. “Best deal ..?” Too opinion based. In the end, I went with alphabetical order, by make. And, as for which deals are new this month? You’re just gonna have to check the list. Enjoy!
Acura ZDX
New for 2024, Acura ZDX uses a GM Ultium battery and drive motors, but the styling, interior, and infotainment software are all Honda. That means you’ll get a solidly-built EV with GM levels of parts support and Honda levels of fit, finish, and quality control. All that plus Apple CarPlay and (through June 2nd) 0% financing for up to 72 months makes the ZDX one the best sporty crossover values in the business.
All the electric Chevrolet models
Chevrolet is offering 0% financing for up to 60 months on all three of its Ultium-based EVs – and they’re all winners. The Silverado can be spec’ed up to a 10,500 lb. GVWR, making it capable enough to tow whatever horse, boat, or RV you put behind it.
On the crossover side, both the Chevy Blazer EV and Equinox EV each offer their own takes on the five-passenger family SUV, with the cost of base model Equinox LT FWD models with 319 miles of EPA-rated range dropping to just $27,500 after you apply the $7,500 Federal tax credit (which, for now, is still a thing).
Dodge Charger
As Stellantis flip-flops its way towards some kind of electrified future, Dodge is hoping that at least a few muscle car enthusiasts with extra cash will find their way to a Dodge store and ask for the meanest, loudest, tire-shreddingest thing on the lot without caring too much about what’s under the hood.
For them, Dodge has the new electric Charger. And if you still owed money on the Hemi you just totaled, Dodge will help get the deal done on its latest retro-tastic ride with a $3,000 rebate plus 0% financing for up to 72 months!
GMC Hummer EV
The biggest Ultium-based EVs from GM’s commercial truck brand are seriously impressive machines, with shockingly quick acceleration and on-road handling that seems to defy the laws of physics once you understand that these are, essentially, medium-duty trucks. This month, GMC is doing its best to move out its existing inventory of 2024s and ’25s so if you’re a fan of heavy metal you’ll definitely want to stop by your local GMC dealer and give the Hummer EV a test drive.
Honda Prologue
The Honda Prologue was one of the top-selling electric crossovers last year, combining GM’s excellent Ultium platform with Honda sensibilities and Apple CarPlay to create a winning combination. Even so, there’s still some remaining 2024 inventory out there. To make room for the 2025 models, Honda is offering 0% APR for up to 72 months on the remaining 2024s.
Hyundai IONIQ 6
From some angles, the Porsche influences in the Hyundai IONIQ 6′ design are obvious – but not so much so that it seems like a copy of anything. It’s aerodynamically efficient, comfortable, quick, offers up to 361 miles of range, can charge just about anywhere, and now through June 2nd, it’s available with 0% financing for up to 48 months.
Kia EV9
If you were waiting for a three-row SUV from a mainstream brand with a great warranty and normal doors, you’ve probably already checked out the Kia EV9. You’re not alone. Kia keeps setting EV sales records, and the EV9 is helping to drive those sales forward.
Kia’s electrified sales train doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, either. In addition to seeing some substantial discounts out there, you can finance a Kia EV9 at 0% for 72 months through Memorial Day.
Lexus RZ
Starting at $55,175, the Lexus RZ promises up to 266 miles of EPA-rated range from a 72.8 kWh battery back in the “base” RZ300e (and 224 from the top-shelf RZ450e). With up to 308 hp and over 195 lb-ft of instant, all-electric torque, the RZ promises to be one Lexus’ zippier rides in any trim.
US News is reporting that remaining 2024 and ’25 Lexus RZ models qualify for 0% financing for up to 72 months in some regions.
Nissan Ariya
I’ve already said that the Nissan Ariya didn’t get a fair shake. If you click that link, you’ll read about a car that offers solid driving dynamics, innovative interior design, and all the practicality that makes five-passenger crossovers the must-haves they’ve become for most families. With up to 289 miles of EPA-rated range, Tesla Supercharger access, and 0% interest from Nissan for up to 72 months, Nissan dealers should have no trouble finding homes for these.
Subaru Solterra
Despite being something of a slow seller, this mechanical twin of the Toyota bZ4X EV seems like a solid mid-size electric crossover with some outdoorsy vibes and granola style that offers more than enough utility to carry your mountain bikes to the trail or your kayaks to the river. Add in 227 miles of range, some big discounts, and 0% financing for up to 72 months, and this should be a great month for electric Subaru fans to drive home in a new Solterra.
Volkswagen ID.4
One of the most popular legacy EVs both in the US and Europe, the ID.4 offers Volkswagen build quality and (for 2024) a Chat-GPT enabled interface. To keep ID.4 sales rolling, VW dealers are getting aggressive with discounts, making this fast-charging, 291 mile EPA-rated range, 5-star safety rated EV a value proposition that’s tough to beat.
This month, get a Volkswagen ID.4 with 0% financing for up to 72 months or a $5,000 customer cash bonus to stack with it.
Disclaimer: the vehicle models and financing deals above were sourced from CarsDirect, CarEdge, and (where mentioned) the OEM websites – and were current as of 11MAY2025. These deals may not be available in every market, with every discount, or for every buyer (the standard “with approved credit” fine print should be considered implied). Check with your local dealer(s) for more information.
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Mercedes high-performance arm is about to hurl an all-electric, 1,000 hp GT squarely into Porsche Taycan territory – but will world-beating performance and a bespoke EV chassis be enough to convince the AMG faithful to pony up for an EV?
Despite excellent driving dynamics, screens for days, and acceleration that makes you feel like the finger of God is pressing into the seat, Mercedes-AMG’s EQE and EQS models were also cursed with jellybean styling and saddled with a confusing “is it an S class or isn’t it an S class” sub-brand that, together, probably turned more people off to EVs than on.
But Mercedes is making changes to right the ship. First, it’s dumping the EQ sub-brand and merging the styling language so that its next-generation EVs will be at least as good-looking or ugly as their ICE-powered cousins – and, second, it’s giving AMG a chassis of its own to lay down a marker and, the company hopes, make the latest generation of international super saloon buyers forget all about Xiaomi.
The newest, as-yet unnamed AMG GT will be based on an entirely bespoke platform called AMG.EA, rather than being based on an existing Mercedes-Benz EV. AMG.EA reportedly makes use of several new (to AMG, at least) technologies, including a pair of axial flux electric motors that are lighter and more powerful than the radial motors used in most EVs, while being smaller, as well.
Those AMG motors are expected to receive power from a flat, low-slung battery pack and put out at least enough power and torque to chase Porsche’s super-powered Taycan Turbo GT, which itself is good for over 1,000 hp and 0-100 kmh (62 mph) in just 2.2 seconds.
The overall proportions and rakish, sloping windshield are already clearly visible, despite the heavy camo, and it looks great. If there’s anything here to really criticize, though, it’s the bizarre echoing of Mercedes’ three-pointed star motif baked into the head- and tail-lights – which just doesn’t work for me, at all.
That said, I think Mercedes lost its way the first time they ever made the star light up. That made it a fashion brand in my book, and not the engineering powerhouse I grew up with. If you’re like me, and there’s a bunch of rowdy kids playing on your lawn, head on down to the comments and let me know.
Electric AMG image gallery
SOURCE | IMAGES: Mercedes-AMG.
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Environment
Tesla employees ask Elon Musk to resign, confirm massive demand problem, get fired for it
Some Tesla employees officially asked for Elon Musk to resign as they confirmed the automaker is facing a massive demand problem, which they attribute to the CEO.
One employee got fired for it.
Regardless of the political spectrum, there’s no doubt that many Tesla employees still support CEO Elon Musk amid his extreme politicization, whether because they agree with his politics or because they support his vision for Tesla to become an AI and robotics company.
However, not all Tesla employees agree.
There’s a growing movement within Tesla employees that recognizes that Musk is currently hurting Tesla’s mission to accelerate the advent of electric transport by alienating a large part of the consumer base and politicizing Tesla’s products.
In 2024, Tesla’s sales declined for the first time in a decade, and in Q1 2025, the decline greatly accelerated.
Tesla has been trying to blame the acceleration on the Model Y changeover in the first quarter, but as we have extensively reported over the last few months, there is plenty of evidence that demand is crashing despite the new Model Y’s availability.
Some Tesla employees recognize what is happening, and they are afraid that the company is ignoring Musk’s negative impact on demand.
A group of current and former Tesla employees published an open letter in which they wrote:
The damage done to Elon’s personal brand is now irreversible and as the public face of Tesla, that damage has become our burden. We are now at a crossroads: continue with Elon as CEO and face further decline as customers abandon the brand, or move forward without him and allow our products and mission to succeed or fail on their own.
They are hoping for the latter to happen, but Musk and the board have completely ignored the demand problem.
The Tesla employees believe that Musk’s announcement that he will “refocus” on Tesla and spend less time on DOGE during Tesla’s earnings call last month was an example of that:
Elon’s recent claim that he is “refocusing” on Tesla is not only tone-deaf, it’s insulting. It implies that the hardships of the past six months stem from a lack of his attention, not from his actions. It shifts the blame onto the very people who have held this company together. Let’s be clear: we are not the problem. Our products are not the problem. Our engineering, service, and delivery teams are not the problem. The problem is demand. The problem is Elon.
The employees highlight how EV sales were up 10% in Q1 in the US while Tesla’s sales were down 9%.
The group of employees is also not buying Tesla’s excuse that it was simply due to people waiting for the new Model Y as they now confirm that thousands of new Model Ys are now sitting in inventory:
Now those very cars are sitting unsold, growing week after week. Production is running better than ever. Quality is high. Processes are strong. Demand is what’s broken. This is not a product problem. It is a leadership problem.
Electrek reported over the last few weeks that new Model Ys have been showing up as inventory vehicles despite Tesla opening up orders just weeks ago.
They are officially asking for Tesla to move forward without Musk as CEO
Tesla is ready to move forward. And we’re ready to move forward without Elon as CEO.
One of the Tesla employees behind the letter, Matthew LaBrot, has been let go, and he claims it’s due to his association with the letter.
He published it on a website and said on LinkedIn that he was let go because of it.
LaBrot had been at Tesla for more than 5 years and he was “Staff Program Manager for Sales and Delivery Training Programs” for the last 3 years.
A X account was also created to share the letter, but it was suspended by the platform, which is owned by Musk, who calls himself a “free speech absolutist.”
Tesla’s demand issues are getting so significant that the automaker told workers at Gigafactory Texas working on the Cybertruck and Model Y production lines to take a full week off.
Electrek’s Take
I’m happy to see some Tesla employees challenging the false narrative that there are no real demand issues. I liked how the letter framed the situation. It made it clear that Musk is the source of Tesla’s main problems right now.
Ignoring Tesla’s problems with the hope that you will soon figure out self-driving, even though you have been wrong about it for years, won’t make them disappear.
Unfortunately, Tesla is making it clear that injecting a dose of reality into this narrative will get you fired.
It’s a really sad time for a once-incredible company that had a massive impact on the auto industry and accelerated electrification.
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