On February 8th the New York Times published a review of the Tesla Model S and the Supercharger stations Tesla has installed between D.C. and Boston.
Stalled Out on Tesla’s Electric Highway
Reviewer John Broder ran out of power and had to be towed. Many saw it as a deliberate attempt to discredit Tesla and electric cars or just a shameless attempt to generate page clicks with the photo of the Tesla on a flatbed tow truck. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had harsh criticisms for the test drive backed up with data from the test car's computer logs. See my previous diary.
Anti-electric car NYT reviewer LIES about Tesla Model S performance. (Update x2)
Yesterday New York Times Public Editor Margaret Sullivan responded.
Problems With Precision and Judgment, but Not Integrity, in Tesla Test
Tesla’s chief executive, Elon Musk, has charged that the story was faked, that Mr. Broder intentionally caused his car to fail, and that issues of journalistic integrity are at stake....Mr. Broder and The Times have maintained that the article was done in good faith, and that it is an honest account of what happened. ...But Mr. Musk, and many readers, remain dissatisfied. It’s not an exaggeration to say that I’ve heard from hundreds of them, either in e-mails or comments to my blog.
I wonder how many were Kossacks?
Did he use good judgment along the way? Not especially. In particular, decisions he made at a crucial juncture – when he recharged the Model S in Norwich, Conn., a stop forced by the unexpected loss of charge overnight – were certainly instrumental in this saga’s high-drama ending.
In addition, Mr. Broder left himself open to valid criticism by taking what seem to be casual and imprecise notes along the journey, unaware that his every move was being monitored. A little red notebook in the front seat is no match for digitally recorded driving logs, which Mr. Musk has used, in the most damaging (and sometimes quite misleading) ways possible, as he defended his vehicle’s reputation.
Misleading? She doesn't say how. Bad judgement? That's probably as far as the lawyers would let her go in admitting fault. I, for one, still believe Broder purposefully ran the batteries down to get his tow truck photo. We can only speculate as to his motives.