Tesla Drops 'Autopilot' Term, Avoids 30-Day California License Suspension

Core Viewpoint - Tesla Inc. has avoided a suspension of its manufacturing and sales license in California by dropping the term "Autopilot" from its marketing, complying with the California DMV's consumer protection laws [1][2][3]. Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The California DMV confirmed that Tesla's decision to remove the "Autopilot" term allowed the company to avoid a 30-day suspension of its dealer and manufacturer licenses [2]. - The DMV had previously filed a lawsuit against Tesla, seeking a suspension due to allegations of misleading consumers about the capabilities of its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems [4][5]. - The DMV's inquiry in 2022 focused on Tesla's potential creation of incorrect perceptions regarding its driving systems, leading to a court ruling in favor of the DMV, which allowed Tesla 90 days to make necessary changes [5]. Group 2: Safety Concerns - Tesla has faced scrutiny following reports of additional crashes involving its Robotaxis, with 14 incidents reported to date, raising concerns about the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system [7]. - A Tesla owner reported multiple instances of the FSD system driving onto a boat ramp, nearly leading to a crash into a lake, which has further fueled concerns about the system's reliability [8].