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While things have been quiet on the Tesla legal front in the battle for recognition between Martin Eberhard and Elon Musk, some of the bystanders in the saga are continuing to come forward with their takes of the story. Earlier this week, we heard from Tesla's former senior vice president of marketing, Darryl Siry, in a piece that ran on Wired. Now, former communications director David Vespremi is responding with a counterpoint to Siry's article.

The heart of the legal argument revolves around who did what in the very earliest days of Tesla's existence in 2003-2004 and then what happened in 2006-2007 as Tesla approached Job 1 for the Roadster. The two men have their own versions of those events and how that relates to what has been said by and about Musk over the past 18 months.

Keep in mind that neither Vespremi or Siry were there in the earliest days of Tesla. Instead, Siry's piece looks at the Roadster's evolution from the AC Propulsion tZero. Vespremi's response goes way beyond that and places Tesla in some historical context in the progression from the EVs of a century ago as they "cross the chasm" to mainstream acceptability. You can find Vespremi's entire response (it's a worthwhile read) after the jump.


Gallery: 2009 Tesla Roadster v1.5


[Source: David Vespremi]

Continue reading Ex-Tesla communications director Vespremi puts the automaker in historical context

Ex-Tesla communications director Vespremi puts the automaker in historical context originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darryl sirydarryl-siryDarrylSirydavid vespremiDavidVespremielon muskelon-muskElonMuskmartin eberhardmartin eberhard firedmartin eberhard teslaMartinEberhardMartinEberhardFiredMartinEberhardTeslatesla motorstesla roadsterTeslaMotorsTeslaRoadsterMon, 29 Jun 2009 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Former employee slaps Tesla with <strike>class action</strike> suit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/16/former-employee-slaps-tesla-with-class-action-suit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/16/former-employee-slaps-tesla-with-class-action-suit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/16/former-employee-slaps-tesla-with-class-action-suit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Their plate may be filled with churning out Tesla Roadsters and developing the Model S sedan, but Tesla Motors can't seem to get a break from the lawsuits. First there was the tiff with transmission supplier Magna, followed by potential development partner Fisker, and now Tesla is facing a class action (it's not a class action lawsuit until a judge deems it so) lawsuit from former Director of Public Relations, David Vespremi. Vespremi ended up on the cutting room floor during the tornado that swept through the company ranks at the end of 2007 was let go prior to the layoffs in January of this year. Vespremi is trying to connect his firing to the layoffs, but according to Tesla's Darryl Siry, that's not the case -- his termination was a separate matter. The details of the lawsuit allege that Tesla Motors did not practice good faith or fair dealing, violated labor codes with unpaid wages and waiting periods, and utilized unfair business practices. The document also listed libel and slander due to the harsh words spoken from the mouths of executives to the media when referencing the former employees. Thanks for the tip Jan!

UPDATE: Darryl Siry of Tesla wanted to clear a few things up with the story. To begin with, a judge must certify a lawsuit as class action before it can be deemed as such. That hasn't happened yet. Additionally, the part of the lawsuit filed by David Vespremi that asks for class action status has nothing to do with libel, slander, or defamation. The only part of Vespremi's lawsuit that could be classified as "class" has to do with Tesla's arbitration and non-conciliation clause in his employment agreement.

[Source: San Mateo Court]

Former employee slaps Tesla with class action suit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>David VespremiDavidVespremiLawsuitTeslaTesla MotorsTesla RoadsterTeslaMotorsTeslaRoadsterWed, 16 Jul 2008 14:33:00 EST