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I think this is TM's strongest argument and, the one that will do the most damage. You know those cracks that you get in your windscreen when a car frame flexes, well, I see this suit as that flex in TG's car.
At the minimum, just shining a light on the fact that it's pre-scripted will help. Even if they continue to show the episode, the knowledge that it isn't factual and is just a bunch of guys cocking around might diffuse its impact.
Jaff
Active Member
A lot of comments about Nikki's article...most appear to be of the mind that the viewer should know that TG is an entertainment show.
If so, where's TG's disclaimer advising their viewers that they are in fact an entertainment show?
If TG put such disclaimer at the start of their show, would any auto maker allow TG to "review" their product?...what would be the incentive for an auto maker to allow their product to go on a show like this knowing full well that it may be unfairly portrayed?
If so, where's TG's disclaimer advising their viewers that they are in fact an entertainment show?
If TG put such disclaimer at the start of their show, would any auto maker allow TG to "review" their product?...what would be the incentive for an auto maker to allow their product to go on a show like this knowing full well that it may be unfairly portrayed?
Norbert
TSLA will win
In a sense, but you'll probably agree that alone wouldn't seem to explain the repeated anti-EV bias in BBC and TG. Consider the final verdict:
"Actually" and "real world". Are these words really just for drama? Which is the "real world"? Their show? TG's race track? Or the potential customer who considers buying a Roadster (or other EV)? Are they pushing hydrogen just for drama of the show, or (also) because they want to have an impact on the future of cars, including purchase decisions of the audience?
Jaff
Active Member
All good points Norbert, especially the "real world" comment.
I was speaking with a friend who is a car guy and who I would consider neutral about TM and electric vehicles this morning.
Judging from his comments and the posted comments on Nikki's article, it appears that most "car guys" consider TG to be pure entertainment.
However, can one consider all viewers of TG (especially casual viewers like myself) to be car guys? To me, it would be an absurd premise to assume that everyone who has seen even just one episode of TG is a "car guy" thus it is not a stretch to consider that a casual viewer of TG may view TG as an honest, unbaised source of credible market information which logically may be used when considering the purchase of a specific vehicle.
I was speaking with a friend who is a car guy and who I would consider neutral about TM and electric vehicles this morning.
Judging from his comments and the posted comments on Nikki's article, it appears that most "car guys" consider TG to be pure entertainment.
However, can one consider all viewers of TG (especially casual viewers like myself) to be car guys? To me, it would be an absurd premise to assume that everyone who has seen even just one episode of TG is a "car guy" thus it is not a stretch to consider that a casual viewer of TG may view TG as an honest, unbaised source of credible market information which logically may be used when considering the purchase of a specific vehicle.
A couple of points:
The segment immediately following the Tesla segment was a segment pushing fuel cells. Panning the Tesla laid the predicate for their fuel cell message.
One one episode filmed in the U.S. concerning a Corvette, a Challenger, and another U.S. car, the Top Gear presenters claimed that their visas did not allow them to be entertaining.
The segment immediately following the Tesla segment was a segment pushing fuel cells. Panning the Tesla laid the predicate for their fuel cell message.
One one episode filmed in the U.S. concerning a Corvette, a Challenger, and another U.S. car, the Top Gear presenters claimed that their visas did not allow them to be entertaining.
Jaff
Active Member
Another good point pg...as a casual viewer of TG, I did not know the next segment of the show was plugging fuel cells...are we full circle back to the Beeb's anti EV agenda yet...? :biggrin:
All good points and this thread has the revelation that not only is the next segment about the Honda Fuel Cell program in Los Angeles (as the only "relevant" electric car future )(and hosted by their supposed "science" guy") but it was filling up hydrogen pressure at a Shell station who is one of the TG traveling road show sponsors. From memory, that segment was very slight on the downsides compared to any other car review.
Leaked internal video shows Forza 4 to include Top Gear track and some of Top Gears favourite roads such as Transfagarasan Road in Romania http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/115/1159182p1.html
I ask, what's the point? They'll have already planned the outcome of any race, you'll be powerless to change it, unless perhaps they have a Forza 4 court house in-game.
I ask, what's the point? They'll have already planned the outcome of any race, you'll be powerless to change it, unless perhaps they have a Forza 4 court house in-game.
Tesla will win this case no matter the outcome. Should they be able to stop the distribution of falsities, good for them. If not they have gotten themselves quite a bit of free publication to set the record straight.
Glad someone posted this because Jalopnik still can't get their site working on mobile.
They are on dodgy ground there because their magazine reviewers drove the car a few months before the TV review and liked it, as we saw up thread.
They are on dodgy ground there because their magazine reviewers drove the car a few months before the TV review and liked it, as we saw up thread.
Unfortunately the review on the website from the preceding August, where they liked, it is now "404 not found" - how convenient.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/blogs/drives/222-tesla-roadster/
At least he seems to like it on their playing card: TOP GEAR TURBO CHALLENGE CARD *TESLA* 92/276 on eBay (end time 25-Apr-11 13:02:41 BST)
http://www.topgear.com/uk/blogs/drives/222-tesla-roadster/
At least he seems to like it on their playing card: TOP GEAR TURBO CHALLENGE CARD *TESLA* 92/276 on eBay (end time 25-Apr-11 13:02:41 BST)
Top Gear does not keep quiet when manufacturers push back
On one episode attempting to compare Rolls, Bentley, and Mercedes as the best gangsters' car in Albania, apparently Bentley refused to provide a car. TG used a Yugo or similar car as a stand in. It was so silly that I do not think it hurt Bentley.
In an episode involving a Corvette, Challenger and another American car, TG made the point that Chrysler would not provide them with a Challenger so they had to pay $10k over sticker to buy one for the test. Reasonable people can differ as to whether this hurt Challenger. Some would say that the $10k over sticker showed dealer greed. Others would say it underscored the demand for the car.
G
On one episode attempting to compare Rolls, Bentley, and Mercedes as the best gangsters' car in Albania, apparently Bentley refused to provide a car. TG used a Yugo or similar car as a stand in. It was so silly that I do not think it hurt Bentley.
In an episode involving a Corvette, Challenger and another American car, TG made the point that Chrysler would not provide them with a Challenger so they had to pay $10k over sticker to buy one for the test. Reasonable people can differ as to whether this hurt Challenger. Some would say that the $10k over sticker showed dealer greed. Others would say it underscored the demand for the car.
G
Legal Fees in England
It would be useful if an English barrister would weigh in on potential legal fees.
I understand that the hourly rates in England are much higher than in the U.S., but discovery is more restricted (so the total fees might not be more).
Unlike the usual rule in the U.S., the looser in England often has to pay the winner's attorney fees.
It would be useful if an English barrister would weigh in on potential legal fees.
I understand that the hourly rates in England are much higher than in the U.S., but discovery is more restricted (so the total fees might not be more).
Unlike the usual rule in the U.S., the looser in England often has to pay the winner's attorney fees.
Here it is from Top Gear's site:
Transmission: Tesla vs Top Gear: Andy Wilman on our current legal action
The producer guy basically admits they reached their conclusion without driving the car. I'm pretty sure the message they wanted to drive home was anti-BEV and pro hydrogen.
After the Stig takes the Roadster for an impressive lap around the Top Gear test track, Clarson concludes:
James May in his segment on the FCX Clarity puts in his final nail against batteries:
The one with... the electric cars - BBC Top Gear
Would be nice if the Shell funding of this pro-hydrogen bias was also exposed from this lawsuit.
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