Advocacy Groups Urge FTC to Investigate Tesla Autopilot Name

The Center for Auto Safety and Consumer Watchdog, non-profit groups, sent a letter to the FTC saying consumers could be misled into thinking that Autopilot makes a Tesla vehicle self-driving.

May 23, 2018

May 23, 2018—Two consumer advocacy groups wrote to the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday to investigate Tesla's "misleading" Autopilot name for its assisted-driving technology, reported Reuters.

The Center for Auto Safety and Consumer Watchdog, both non-profit groups, sent a letter to the FTC, saying that consumers could be misled into thinking, based on Tesla's marketing and advertising, that Autopilot makes a Tesla vehicle self-driving, according to the report.

Autopilot was released in 2015. It is an enhanced cruise-control system that partially automates steering and braking. Tesla states in its owner's manual and in disclaimers that the driver needs to keep hands on the wheel at all times while using the feature, according to Reuters.

Last month, another group, Consumers Union, the advocacy division for Consumer Reports, called on Tesla to improve the safety of the system.