Tesla quits Australia auto lobby over claims on car emission standards

Tesla said on Thursday it is quitting Australia’s major auto lobby and resigning from its board, accusing the group of misleading consumers over the government’s proposed fuel efficiency standards and the potential impact on car prices.
In a letter addressed to Australia’s Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), Tesla said the country’s biggest auto industry body “has repeatedly made claims that are demonstrably false.”
The U.S. electric vehicle market leader said, “Tesla is also concerned that it is inappropriate for the FCAI to foreshadow or coordinate whether and how competitor brands implement price changes in response to environmental regulations.”
Tesla said it has requested Australia’s competition regulator to investigate FCAI’s comments.
The FCAI, which includes top leaders of major car brands, did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment. Tesla said it would cease to be a member in June.
Until recently, Australia was the only developed country apart from Russia to either not have or be developing fuel efficiency standards.