Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing for Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, judge rules | TechCrunch

"This is a pivotal development in a years-long case initiated by California's Department of Motor Vehicles. The judge agreed with the state DMV's request to suspend Tesla sales for 30 days as a penalty for its actions, but the DMV stayed the order and is giving Tesla 90 days to modify or remove any deceptive language before implementing the suspension, according to multiple outlets."

"The case brought by the CA DMV has been winding through the state's Office of Administrative Hearings for years. The agency essentially accused Tesla of making customers believe that its advanced driver assistance systems were capable of high levels of autonomy. This led to overconfidence in the systems, the DMV alleged, which has contributed to dozens of crashes and multiple deaths. Tesla refuted these claims by saying its marketing was protected speech."

An administrative law judge ruled that Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing that gave customers a false impression of Autopilot and Full Self-Driving capabilities. The judge agreed with the California DMV's request to suspend Tesla sales for 30 days, but the DMV stayed the order and granted Tesla 90 days to remove or modify deceptive language. The judge also recommended a 30-day manufacturing license suspension, which the DMV stayed. Tesla faces investigations from the California Attorney General, DOJ, and SEC and has settled civil suits over Autopilot crashes. The DMV alleges marketing-driven overconfidence contributed to dozens of crashes and multiple deaths, while Tesla maintains its marketing is protected speech.

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