A self-contained fire, caused by hitting a large object, which only started spreading once emergency services broke through the battery casing. Exactly how is this a 'hardware mishap'?
I don't see how the timing would have better then vs. now. It's a strategic move to bring someone talented from an extremely valuable company who produces "great" consumer products over to Tesla.
Perhaps not to see how Tesla was going to do, but to see if Apple could continue its streak. After their latest announcement events, some may argue that streak has ended.
