In some latest Tesla news, the company is under fire by California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with a lawsuit for false claims in its latest advertisement. In the automobile realm, we are used to Tesla presenting its claims quite differently. This ranges from its 0-60 mph acceleration numbers (which are display with rollout subtracted) and other such parameters. This latest case being tested is where Tesla claims its EVs to have autonomous driving capabilities. However, Elon Musk argues that this is a part of free speech. Here are the details.
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Tesla Faces Lawsuit Over False Claims
Tesla is ahead in the race of autonomous driving than most carmakers in the world. Its AutoPilot features a high level of autonomous driving capabilities. However, the EVs are not fully autonomous yet. In fact, Tesla even has disclaimers on its website saying that its EVs “require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous”. But in its advertisements, Tesla refers to its electric car models as having “fully self-driving capabilities”. This is where the problem lies.
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The authorities are deeming this information false. In fact, the claims against Tesla also get worse since the American auto giant is making money by advertising such features. That, as per the California DMV, is fraudulent. Needless to say, this has landed Elon Musk in hot waters who is defending everything in the name of Free Speech under the First Amendment to the Constitution.
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Author’s Note
Now the tussle between Elon Musk, Tesla and the law is a rather long relationship. During advertisement campaigns in any field, facts are almost always slightly twisted to present the best scenario picture to promote the advertiser. That seems to be the case with Tesla as well. However, we know that Tesla is the leading player when it comes to implementing self-driving capabilities. On the other hand, we also know that the technology is not advanced enough to allow the driver to sleep in the rear seat. Therefore, it is a matter of wordplay, in essence. As a result, the term ‘self-driving’ or ‘autonomous driving’ is subjective.