Tesla Drops 'Autopilot' Label to Avert 30-Day California License Suspension
Tesla removed the 'Autopilot' term from its marketing to comply with California consumer protection laws, dodging a 30-day dealer and manufacturer license suspension by the DMV. The move follows a DMV lawsuit over alleged misleading ADAS claims and comes as Tesla reports 14 Robotaxi crashes and recurring FSD safety concerns.
1. Tesla Removes 'Autopilot' Marketing Term
Tesla dropped the 'Autopilot' label from its advanced driver assistance systems marketing to comply with California consumer protection statutes, thereby avoiding a 30-day dealer and manufacturer license suspension from the DMV.
2. DMV Lawsuit and License Suspension Avoided
Following a 2021 probe into alleged misleading ADAS claims and a July lawsuit seeking a 30-day suspension, the DMV confirmed that Tesla met its compliance requirements and averted the planned suspension.
3. Escalating Robotaxi Crash Reports and FSD Safety Issues
Tesla reported five additional Robotaxi crashes in Austin last month, raising the total to 14 incidents, and multiple cases of FSD driving onto a boat ramp have intensified investor concerns over system reliability and needed hardware improvements.