Tesla, the popular electric car company, has been told by French anti-fraud officials to stop using what they call “deceptive commercial practices.” This means that the French government believes Tesla was not being completely honest with its customers in the way it advertised and sold some of its cars and services.
The decision came after a year-long investigation carried out by the DGCCRF — France’s consumer protection and fraud prevention agency. This government agency works to make sure that companies are fair to customers and follow the law.
The investigation, which took place between 2023 and 2024, was started after people made complaints on a French consumer website. Officials said they found problems with how Tesla advertised its “fully autonomous driving” features, among other things. Tesla now has four months to fix these issues or it could be fined €50,000 for each day it does not comply.
French Officials Say Tesla Misled Consumers on Car Features
The main problem found was that Tesla reportedly made customers believe their cars had full self-driving capabilities when they did not. While Tesla vehicles come with driver assistance features, French authorities say the company exaggerated what the technology could actually do.
According to the DGCCRF, some Tesla buyers were led to believe their cars could drive themselves entirely, which is not yet true for any vehicle on the market. This kind of advertising is considered misleading, and under French law, it is not allowed.
But that wasn’t the only issue. The investigation also discovered other serious concerns:
- Some customers were promised features that were not available at the time of purchase.
- Trade-in offers for old vehicles were unclear and at times misleading.
- People who canceled their orders had to wait a long time to get their money back.
- Buyers didn’t always know exactly where their new vehicles would be delivered.
- Some sales contracts were missing important details.
These problems caused confusion, frustration, and financial stress for many customers, the agency said. The government wants Tesla to fix these issues quickly and make sure its practices follow French consumer protection laws.
Strong Warning and Financial Risk
Tesla’s French branch has now been officially ordered to make changes to how it advertises and sells its cars. If the company does not stop the misleading practices within four months, it will face a fine of €50,000 every day until it complies.
This is not just a warning. The French government is using real legal power to make sure Tesla changes its ways. Officials said the goal is to protect French consumers and ensure they receive the products and services they were promised.
At the same time, Tesla has seen a drop in sales across Europe. Experts believe that part of this decline is due to an aging range of car models and more competition from other electric vehicle makers. There are also concerns about public trust, especially when buyers feel they have not been given the full truth.
While the company is still popular with many fans, this investigation shows that even big names must follow the rules.