The company is also leaning on online "influencers," demanding "steep compensation" from social media personalities who have criticized it. The electric car firm's legal team have demanded public apologies and retractions of posts on pain of litigation. A report cited by Bloomberg on Wednesday suggested the legal threats were part of a "wide-ranging effort" to win back a "positive image in China," an effort the site suggested was doomed, particularly because Western brands are often criticized for wielding their considerable financial heft in an aggressive manner where local customers are involved. Tesla "already took a hit from those they've taken…