, Columnist
Tesla's Burning Problem
Can Tesla survive a government investigation into possible safety flaws?
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Tesla Motors Inc.'s Roadster has given hope to those who would like to see a future beyond the internal combustion engine. In May, the company announced it was profitable. That profit came in part from selling credits under California's zero-emissions vehicle program, but the company has continued to exceed sales targets, and started to look like a real, viable auto company, albeit a small, high-end luxury manufacturer.
This week, however, the company seems to be hitting ... well, a bump in the road, if you'll forgive the expression. Recently, its cars seem to have a surprising tendency to catch fire.