Tesla has made a strategic decision to no longer use the term “Autopilot” in California when describing the self-driving capabilities of its vehicles. This move comes in response to a directive from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to address concerns over potentially misleading marketing practices. The DMV had previously identified that Tesla’s marketing materials were violating state law by suggesting that their cars could drive autonomously.
The issue stemmed from Tesla’s promotion of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features through written materials that began circulating in May 2021. To comply with regulatory requirements, Tesla had already started adding a clarification of “(Supervised)” to its use of the term “Full Self-Driving Capability.” However, the DMV specifically requested the cessation of using the term Autopilot to avoid a potential 30-day sales suspension in the state.
By taking this corrective action, Tesla has demonstrated its commitment to adhering to consumer protection laws in California. DMV Director Steve Gordon expressed satisfaction with Tesla’s response, emphasizing the importance of safety on the state’s roads and within its communities.
Source: The Verge