California Targets Tesla 'Full Self-Driving' With Newly Passed Bill – The Drive

Tesla may soon face a new legal battle in its former home state of California thanks to a bill that directly targets the naming of its controversial Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (but not really) software suites.This might sound like deja vu considering that the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles recently filed a complaint over Tesla’s allegedly misleading marketing tactics for the same software. However, this is a completely separate legal matter that could impact not only Tesla, but also any automaker that sells a vehicle with partially-automated software in the golden state.First, the bill looks to squash the problem of autonowashing—that’s the practice of misrepresenting the true function of a driver assistance feature by inferring more advanced capability in its branding. The bill specifically calls out this practice and forbids automakers from branding or creating marketing materials for a partially automated stack with “language that implies or would otherwise lead a reasonable person to believe that the feature allows the vehicle to function as an autonomous vehicle.”Next, it requires all automakers and dealerships to provide customers with a “distinct notice” that clearly outlines the functions and limitations of any partially automated feature. This notice is also to be given to…
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