Trump nominates Secretary of Transportation: to strictly inspect safety issues of Tesla, Inc.'s (TSLA.US) FSD and Smart Summon.

Shaun Dafoe, the transportation secretary nominated by US President-elect Donald Trump, has stated that he will support the new US government in conducting a thorough investigation into the advanced driving assistance system of Tesla, Inc. This decision comes as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating 2.4 million Tesla, Inc. vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, following reports of four collisions, one of which was a fatal accident that occurred in 2023. During a Senate hearing, Dafoe, a former congressman, firmly stated, "I will ensure that NHTSA's investigation proceeds smoothly." It is worth noting that Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, Inc., is not only a leading figure in the tech industry but also a close advisor to President Trump. Trump himself has previously criticized the regulatory work of NHTSA. When asked by Senator Ed Mackey, "Despite external political pressures, can you promise to allow NHTSA to follow the evidence and operate objectively?" Dafoe did not directly respond to the question, but his attitude clearly indicates his support for NHTSA's investigative work. Tesla, Inc. has not immediately responded to requests for comments on this matter. Furthermore, NHTSA has also launched a separate investigation into another feature of Tesla, Inc. called "Smart Summon," involving 2.6 million Tesla, Inc. vehicles. The reason for this investigation is that accidents occurred when using this feature that allows users to remotely move their vehicles. NHTSA points out that these vehicles failed to detect pillars or parked vehicles while using the "Smart Summon" feature, and users often cannot avoid collisions due to inadequate reaction time, whether through visual judgment or pressing the button on the mobile app to stop the vehicle. It is worth mentioning that in December 2023, Tesla, Inc. recalled over 2 million American vehicles to install new safety measures for its Autopilot advanced driving assistance system. However, NHTSA is still evaluating whether this recall is sufficient to address the issue of driver distraction. As Musk is committed to advancing autonomous driving technology and the development of Siasun Robot & Automation taxis, Tesla, Inc.'s advanced driving assistance system is facing unprecedented scrutiny. In addition to Tesla, Inc., Dafoe also stated that he will review the $633,000 fine proposal from the Federal Aviation Administration against Musk's other company, SpaceX. Previously, the FAA pointed out that SpaceX had violated launch licensing requirements.