Oh, how the tables have turned. In an earlier blog by Sam Smith, we reported that Elon Musk's Tesla Motors filed suit against one of its former contractors over the Fisker Karma's design. Now it seems as if Karma is biting Tesla in the butt. Turns out transmission supplier Magna is now suing Tesla Motors.
Bringing a car from concept to production and finally, to a customer's garage is always a difficult task and Tesla is no exception. Its biggest hurdle? Finding the perfect transmission fitted within the confines of its all-electric Roadsters. Initial plans for a two-speed unit flopped after several attempts by X-Trac, Magna, and even Tesla itself. Ultimately, modifications were made to the motor so that a single-speed transmission would suffice.
Tesla Motors forgot one minor detail: To pay Magna for its services. In order to retrieve its $5.6 million, Magna has filed suit in San Mateo to force the issue. In addition, the transmission supplier is claiming to have suggested a single-speed unit in the first place back in 2006, thus throwing a big "told you so" in Tesla's face.