California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has issued a warning to Tesla regarding its marketing of self-driving features, citing concerns over potentially deceptive practices. The DMV highlighted that terms like “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” used by Tesla could mislead consumers about the capabilities of its advanced driver assist systems. If Tesla fails to address these concerns within 60 days, the DMV could suspend its license to sell cars in the state for 30 days.
The DMV’s decision follows the ruling of an administrative law judge who found Tesla’s marketing misleading and in violation of state law. While the judge recommended a suspension of Tesla’s manufacturing license, the DMV opted not to impose it, considering the implications for the electric vehicle industry amidst declining demand after EV tax credits were phased out.
To comply, Tesla might have to rebrand its driver assistance software, as the current names like Autopilot and Full Self-Driving could create false expectations of autonomous driving. Unlike technologies from companies like Waymo, Tesla’s systems are not fully autonomous and require constant driver attention.
Despite Tesla’s insistence that it does not mislead customers and clarifies that drivers must remain attentive, the DMV’s stance underscores the importance of transparent marketing in the tech industry, especially concerning self-driving features.
Source: The Verge
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