Tesla misled South Korean customers about automated-driving tech, consumer group alleges
TSLA•A South Korean consumer group alleges Tesla marketed Full Self-Driving to customers whose vehicles could not legally use it and plans to ask regulators to restrict the marketing. Tesla data showed 99% of new Teslas sold in South Korea last year were ineligible for FSD.
1. Complaint targets FSD marketing
The consumer group Citizens United for Consumer Sovereignty plans to file a complaint with South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission, alleging Tesla misled customers by selling Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software for vehicles that could not legally use it. The group seeks a temporary cease-and-desist order on marketing FSD for ineligible vehicles, administrative fines and a referral to state investigators.
2. Most cars ineligible
Tesla Korea’s country manager said in parliamentary testimony that FSD could be used on about 20% of Tesla vehicles registered in South Korea, those manufactured in the United States. Most Teslas sold there are made in China, and Tesla has only recently begun seeking FSD certification for China-made vehicles, despite charging for the software for more than three years. Tesla data submitted to the National Assembly showed 99% of new Teslas sold in South Korea last year could not legally use FSD.
3. Regulator has opened probe
The Fair Trade Commission said it launched a probe earlier this year into Tesla’s FSD advertising and received written responses from the company. Tesla sold FSD for one-time payments of 9.043 million won ($6,726) before switching in August to a monthly subscription costing 150,000 won ($112).
