Tesla created a secret team, called the “Diversion Team,” to manage complaints about its vehicles’ driving range, which were consistently lower than advertised. This team, formed in response to a surge in complaints, was tasked with canceling service appointments for owners reporting poor range performance. The company’s range projections were often over-optimistic, leading to customer dissatisfaction, particularly in cold weather. Tesla aimed to reduce service center pressure and save costs by diverting complaints, with employees celebrating their success in closing cases. Despite this, many cars likely didn’t require repair, as the issue stemmed from inflated range expectations rather than defects.