In France, Tesla may well have to review some of the marketing terms surrounding Autopilot and the so-called "fully autonomous" driving capabilities of its vehicles. The Yvelines population protection department, a local branch of the DGCCRF, launched an investigation two years ago. Last month, the manufacturer received an injunction to "cease its deceptive marketing practices" regarding its cars' autonomous driving capabilities, according to the website L'Informé.
Misleading communication surrounding Autopilot
Tesla is accused of misleading consumers about the extent of existing or future autonomous driving capabilities. It is true that the name of the paid package "Fully Autonomous Driving Capability" leaves little room for interpretation. Even though it currently doesn't allow the vehicle to go "almost anywhere autonomously, with minimal driver intervention" - we'll have to wait for "future updates," Tesla adds, which are also subject to regulatory approval.
The manufacturer has filed an interim relief appeal before the Versailles administrative court: a shot in the dark, as the procedure was rejected on technical grounds. The French subsidiary has in fact moved to another department. No matter, it doesn't intend to stop there.
Despite everything, if the injunction is confirmed, Tesla will have to revise its communication or risk a daily penalty of €50,000. The group has already had to water down its wine in the United States, where the "Full Self Driving" (FSD) function has been renamed "Full Self Driving (supervised)", in other words... "fully autonomous supervised driving".
Times are tough for Tesla, with sales in the socks (-12.9% in the first quarter) and a boss, Elon Musk, who is preparing to spend more time at the head of the manufacturer after having turned the American administration upside down.
Source: L'Informé
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