Tesla faces lawsuits totaling up to $14.5 billion over its "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) and Autopilot systems – and its own marketing department is making the problem worse. In two official promotional videos released in the last three weeks, Tesla shows a driver preparing espresso while driving with FSD. This contradicts Tesla's legal position that drivers must always keep their hands on the steering wheel and could undermine the company's legal defense.
FSD and the Legal Gray Zone
Tesla always emphasizes in its terms of use that FSD and Autopilot are only assistive systems and that the driver must remain in control at all times. However, the videos suggest a carefree use that deviates from the actual safety requirements. Several class action lawsuits are already underway in the US, accusing Tesla of exaggerating the system's capabilities and thereby contributing to accidents.Europe in Focus: Stricter Rules vs. Marketing
While Tesla is gradually receiving approvals for FSD Supervised in Europe, the videos show behavior that is hardly compatible with EU guidelines. UNECE regulation R79, for example, prohibits systems that tempt the driver to become fully distracted. Tests are currently underway in Denmark, the Netherlands, and other countries, but such marketing content could anger regulators.A comparison of Tesla systems and competitors shows clear differences:
The Role of Social Media and Self-Promotion
Tesla regularly publishes videos on YouTube and Twitter to demonstrate FSD capabilities. However, the latest clips go a step too far: they show everyday situations that normalize dangerous behavior. Industry experts like the Electrek colleagues criticize that Tesla is thus jeopardizing its own credibility in legal disputes.Elon Musk himself has repeatedly emphasized that FSD will soon reach Level 4 – but as long as the systems are not officially approved, they remain assistive systems. Wall Street analysts are divided: while some praise Tesla's progress, others warn of exaggerations in marketing.