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Saved February 14, 2026
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A judge ruled that Tesla's use of "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving" is misleading, suggesting the cars can drive themselves. The California DMV has mandated a name change to avoid a sales ban in the state. Tesla has already renamed "Full Self-Driving Capability" to "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" but still needs to address the Autopilot branding.
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Tesla faces serious challenges with its branding, particularly regarding its "Autopilot" feature. A judge ruled that the terms "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving Capability" are misleading, suggesting that these vehicles can operate autonomously. As a result, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has found Tesla in violation of state law. If Tesla fails to rename these features, it risks a sales ban in California, its largest market.
The controversy stems from Tesla's marketing practices. The DMV noted that since May 2021, Tesla has advertised its advanced driver assistance systems using language that implies full autonomy. However, the vehicles equipped with these features do not operate as self-driving cars. Tesla has already altered the name of Full Self-Driving Capability to Full Self-Driving (Supervised), but it still needs to address the Autopilot branding. The current description on Tesla's support page clarifies that Autopilot is meant to assist drivers rather than replace them. However, these adjustments may not satisfy regulators.
If Tesla doesn't change the Autopilot name, it could face significant repercussions. The implications of this ruling go beyond just a name change; they could impact Tesla's sales and reputation in a competitive electric vehicle market. The outcome remains uncertain, but it's clear that the company needs to navigate this issue carefully to avoid losing its foothold in California.
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