Tesla France Under Investigation for Deceptive Marketing Practices
Tesla France is under investigation for misleading marketing practices about its autonomous driving technology.
Key Points
- • Tesla France is under investigation for deceptive commercial practices.
- • The inquiry began following consumer complaints reported in 2023.
- • The DDPP found significant violations against consumer protection laws.
- • Tesla must comply within four months or face fines of €50,000 per day.
Tesla France is facing significant scrutiny as the Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations (DDPP) initiates an investigation into the company's marketing and sales practices. The investigation, stemming from numerous consumer complaints reported through SignalConso, focuses on misleading claims regarding the autonomy features of Tesla's vehicles, particularly their fully autonomous driving capabilities.
The inquiry began in 2023 when the DDPP received multiple reports alleging that Tesla's advertising was misleading consumers about the actual capabilities of its cars. Following a thorough review, the DDPP discovered several violations that were deemed harmful to consumers and in direct violation of French consumer protection laws.
In a recent statement, the DDPP mandated Tesla France to cease these deceptive marketing practices and to ensure compliance with the regulations within the next four months. Failure to adhere to this order could result in steep penalties, potentially amounting to €50,000 per day of non-compliance. The public is being urged to seek further information regarding their rights against deceptive business practices through government channels.
This development marks a critical moment for consumer protection in France, emphasizing the importance of accountability in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market, where consumer trust is paramount. As Tesla navigates this investigation, it could set important precedents regarding corporate transparency and ethical marketing in the automotive sector.