Tesla Sues California DMV Over Self-Driving False Advertising Ruling
Tesla takes California's DMV to court after regulators found the company falsely promoted Autopilot and Full Self-Driving.
Tesla is taking California's Department of Motor Vehicles to court, attempting to overturn a ruling that determined the automaker broke the law by misleading consumers about its driver-assistance technology.
The DMV found that Tesla falsely promoted the capabilities of both its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems — two features that have long drawn scrutiny for their names alone. Despite the branding, neither system makes Tesla vehicles fully autonomous.
Now Tesla wants a judge to reverse that decision. The lawsuit targets the California DMV directly, challenging the agency's authority and findings.
It's a bold move. Rather than quietly adjusting its marketing language, Tesla is doubling down and fighting the state regulator responsible for overseeing vehicle sales and advertising in the nation's largest auto market.