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Thursday, March 5, 2015

Tesla: Please Don't Hack Your Cars

As reported by PC Mag: Tech-savvy car fans might be tempted to tinker with a Tesla's high-tech innards, but Elon Musk would prefer that you not pimp your ride.

In a new regulatory filing, Musk outlines the challenges and risks facing Tesla Motors, which is a pretty standard thing to do on such documents. But this particular list is intriguing because it covers a very modern potential problem with today's cars.

"If our vehicle owners customize our vehicles or change the charging infrastructure with aftermarket products, the vehicle may not operate properly, which could harm our business," the report said.

Pointing a finger directly at "automobile enthusiasts" often keen to hack their car to boost performance, Tesla warns that changes could place vehicle safety systems at risk.

Customers who install seats meant to elevate the driver, for example, may be placing themselves out of range of the airbag. Others who try to install large speaker systems could impact the car's electrical system, or, you know, accidentally fry their brains.

"We have not tested, nor do we endorse, such changes or products," Tesla said. "Such unauthorized modifications could reduce the safety of our vehicles, and any injuries from such modifications could result in adverse publicity which would negatively affect our brand and harm our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results."

The company suffered some bad PR in the fall of 2013, when its electric vehicles caught fire three times in five weeks. Perhaps rewiring a Model S stereo system so you can better jam out to Kanye's sick beats could turn you into the next "Tesla disaster" headline.

Most of the other "risks" outlined in the annual report lean on Tesla, not consumers: delayed rollouts, slow suppliers, high prices, and negative publicity.

There is little the manufacturer can do about customers tinkering with their cars—a fact Tesla all but admitted in its report. But don't say you weren't warned.

Last month, Tesla was accused of padding its 6,000-strong ranks with a number of former Apple workers; the automaker hired at least 150 ex-Cupertino-ites since 2010, Bloomberg reported.

Apple is fighting back, allegedly offering $250,000 signing bonuses and 60 percent salary increase to Tesla employees who join the tech giant.

Last year, Musk confirmed he had informal talks with execs at Apple, but denied any acquisition plans. 

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