The problem first became apparent to Tesla in March of this year after complaints about unintended hood opening from Chinese customers. By April, it had identified the problem as deformation of the hood latch switch, “which could prevent the customer from being notified about an open hood state.”
Given that China is now an electric car superpower, this situation will not bode well for Tesla in that country.
I think the professor himself is fed up with the situation, because as a researcher he is forced to publish his articles to for-profit publishers, who are basically the mafia gatekeepers, who profit from information that should be open to everyone. And the university profits from this lucrative business.
This Youtube video will open your eyes to this business: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKiBlGDfRU8