Tesla renames 'Full Self-Driving' to 'Assisted Driving' in Europe as it seeks software clearance
TSLA•Tesla has begun calling its Full Self-Driving feature “Tesla Assisted Driving” on European websites as CEO Elon Musk pushes for EU-wide approval. Eight EU countries allow the system, and Slovakia expects to become the ninth within days; an EU-wide vote has been delayed until at least December.
1. European website change
Tesla has renamed its Full Self-Driving feature “Tesla Assisted Driving” on websites in Slovakia, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. The U.S. website still calls it “Full Self-Driving (Supervised).” Germany said Tuesday Tesla had offered to change the name.
2. Regulatory concerns
Several regulators have called the former name misleading because the system requires constant supervision and drivers remain legally responsible. Swedish consumer protection authorities asked the Swedish Transport Agency to assess whether the marketing could give buyers the false impression that the system can drive fully autonomously. Italian government correspondence said the name and promotional material could lead users to believe the car had unsupervised driving functions.
3. Approval process
Eight EU countries already allow the system, with Slovakia expecting to become the ninth within days. An EU-wide vote has been pushed from October to at least December, while countries including France conduct additional testing.
