South Korean consumer group alleges Tesla misled FSD buyers

Technology · First reported 4 Nov, 00:00 · Updated 00:52

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

A consumer advocacy group plans to complain to South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission, alleging Tesla marketed Full Self-Driving to buyers whose vehicles could not legally use it. Tesla did not respond to comment requests; the regulator said it had already opened an advertising probe.

The group says Tesla marketed FSD in South Korea while only about 20% of registered Teslas—those made in the US—could use it; most were made in China.
Tesla’s data showed 99% of new Teslas sold in South Korea last year could not legally use FSD; the group is asking the regulator to halt marketing to ineligible owners and impose penalties.
The Fair Trade Commission said it opened an advertising probe earlier this year. Separately, a Seoul court dismissed owners’ refund lawsuit, citing regulatory and legal limits on rolling out FSD functions.

Summary written by Lux AI from 2 articles

Key facts

FSD-eligible vehicles: About 20% of registered Teslas in South Korea, according to testimony by Tesla Korea’s country manager.
Ineligible share: 99% of new Teslas sold in South Korea last year could not legally use FSD, according to data Tesla submitted to the National Assembly.
Reported FSD prices: A lump-sum price of 9.043 million won; the monthly subscription became 150,000 won in August.
Regulatory action sought: The group asked the KFTC to temporarily stop marketing FSD for ineligible vehicles, impose administrative fines and refer the case to state investigators.