German court bans Tesla autopilot advertising

July 17th, 2020, 6:28 pm
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A German court has prohibited Tesla from using various slogans when promoting the autopilot system. The applicant was the competition center, which saw false advertising promises in it.

At the end of October, the anti-unfair competition center, also known as the competition center, stated that it had filed an injunction with the Munich Regional Court. Tesla, the competition headquarters criticized, gives the impression that its vehicles can drive completely autonomously on German roads. Here are some functions in this country not allowed at all. Now the Munich judges have agreed to this view – and banned Tesla’s autopilot advertising like that Competition center announces.

Tesla: “Autopilot included” is misleading

Specifically, advertising statements such as “Autopilot included”, “Full potential for autonomous driving” or “By the end of the year: … automatic driving in urban areas” have been prohibited as misleading. Tesla had used these slogans on its homepage for its vehicle assistance functions, the so-called autopilot, as the competition center complains.

With these statements, Tesla had given the impression that the vehicles advertised in this way could and could drive autonomously by the end of 2019, as judges at the Munich Regional Court judged. To date, some of the functions mentioned in Germany have not yet been legally permitted in traffic. The Tesla lawyers, in turn, said that the cars can at least technically keep the promises. In addition, the customers were advised of restrictions on autonomous driving.

The attorney at the competition headquarters, Andreas Ottofülling, spoke shortly after the judgment of a first stage victory. “Since autopiloted and autonomous driving at level 5 is currently neither legally permissible nor technically possible for the vehicle in question, Tesla must also adhere to the rules of the game and must not make false advertising promises,” said Ottofülling. However, the judgment is not yet final. Tesla could still object, like that FAZ writes.

Elon Musk already sees level 5 technology in 2020

Tesla boss Elon Musk had only announced last week that the technical basis of level 5 autonomy would be available this year. In a video message, Musk said that he hardly sees any significant hurdles for fully autonomous driving after Level 5. Before Tesla drivers can completely rely on the driving skills of their cars, however, the legal restrictions must also be resolved in addition to the technological challenges. In Germany, the conditions for this are to be created by the end of the legislative period in 2021.

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