Investigators from the French Ministry of Finance’s Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Office (OCCA) have revealed that American automaker Tesla engaged in deceptive business practices related to the fully autonomous driving capabilities of its vehicles. They issued sales contracts without a delivery date, time, or location, and failed to provide timely refunds, among other violations.
According to a report published by Reuters, the investigation began in 2023 and found that Tesla engaged in deceptive business practices. The OCA has ordered the company to comply with the regulations within four months or face fines of €50,000 per day thereafter until compliance is met.
Tesla has faced difficulties in Europe in recent months, with sales of its electric vehicles declining sharply in many markets. This decline is attributed in part to the political activities of CEO Elon Musk, whose views have often been described as controversial. According to observers, Musk’s withdrawal from Tesla’s management has led to significant sales losses.
It’s worth noting that China has banned misleading advertisements containing statements about smart driving and autonomous driving, which lead consumers to believe the car can drive itself and maneuver on the road without driver intervention.
This has led to accidents due to autonomous driving systems that have not yet reached a level where they do not require human intervention. These systems are assistance systems and do not replace the driver.
