Tesla Ordered to Halt “Deceptive Practices” in France or Face Daily Fines

French authorities have ordered Tesla to stop a series of what they describe as “deceptive business practices.” The directive comes from France’s Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control office, which has been investigating Tesla since 2023.

Alleged violations include misleading claims and bad refund processes

According to the investigators, Tesla misled consumers over the fully autonomous capabilities of its vehicles and issued sales contracts that lacked essential information, such as the date, time, or place of delivery. Additionally, the company is accused of failing to provide refunds within the required timeframes.

The finance ministry’s consumer protection agency emphasized that these practices violate French commercial laws and said the company must take corrective action promptly. If Tesla fails to meet the deadline, it will be fined €50,000 per day until the alleged violations are resolved, according to Reuters. The company has not yet responded publicly to the allegations.

Elon Musk’s political backlash compounds Tesla’s market challenges

Tesla’s reputation has been under pressure in France due to recent political controversies. A group of Tesla owners filed a lawsuit earlier this month, claiming the brand had become associated with far-right politics following CEO Elon Musk’s support for U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump and his endorsement of Germany’s far-right AfD party.

The political fallout has contributed to a decline in Tesla sales across multiple European markets. Interestingly enough, Tesla has started showing some strength in Norway, one of the world’s key EV markets, thanks to the popularity of the new Model Y.

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