In a recent declaration, Jeremy Clarkson, the former host of the BBC show ‘Top Gear’, has proclaimed “victory is mine” over billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, stemming from a defamation case that began nearly two decades ago. This comes as Musk faces significant downturns in Tesla’s electric vehicle sales both in the United States and abroad, coinciding with his controversial tenure in the Trump administration aimed at reducing government waste and overspending.

During his column published in The Times, Clarkson revisited the events of 2008 when he provided a critical review of the Tesla Roadster, labelling it “unreliable”. He recounted his experience with the vehicle, which he claimed broke down after a mere 55 miles due to brake failure, while a second model he tested overheated. Musk initiated legal action against Clarkson following the unfavourable critique, expressing his discontent over the review.

Clarkson reflected on their enduring conflict, asserting, “I said it was unreliable, which it was; that it was ridiculously expensive, which it was; and that because it weighed more than most moons, it didn’t handle very well. Which it didn’t”, as reported by the Express. He noted that Musk sued him for defamation, arguing Clarkson harboured a bias against electric cars and had written the review without having driven the vehicle first. Ultimately, Musk lost the case, along with an appeal that followed, a defeat that Clarkson claims Musk has yet to fully come to terms with.

Despite the bygone litigation, Clarkson expressed notable satisfaction at seeing Musk encounter criticism from other quarters, including those who once held him in high esteem. He recalls the conclusion of the legal proceedings in 2013, which did not favour Musk, and referenced a subsequent discussion on BBC’s Newsnight where Musk questioned Clarkson’s appropriate capacity to review American electric cars. Musk stated, “I was surprised to learn Top Gear was even on the BBC. Clarkson’s show is more about entertainment than it is about truth.”

Musk acknowledged the comedic value of Clarkson’s work, admitting, “I’ve actually enjoyed a lot of his shows so it’s not as though I just hate Top Gear or anything,” but reiterated his belief that Clarkson exhibits a pronounced bias against electric and American vehicles.

The historical context of Clarkson’s review resurfaced during a podcast featuring Chris Harris, another presenter from ‘Top Gear’, on Joe Rogan’s show. Harris contended that Clarkson had mistreated Musk’s character and exaggerated the Roadster’s unreliability for the sake of humour—a claim that Clarkson has firmly disputed. Following this, Clarkson stated, “On Top Gear we c***ed about and upset a lot of people over the years. But our road tests were always scrupulously fair.”

Clarkson’s public comments and recounting of the decade-old ordeal underscore the continuing fallout between the two high-profile figures within the automotive industry, with Tesla currently navigating challenges in sales performance.

Source: Noah Wire Services