
France orders Tesla to end 'deceptive commercial practices'
The fraud prevention and consumer protection agency (DGCCRF) said its agents investigated Tesla's French subsidiary between 2023 and 2024 after reports were filed on a consumer complaint platform.
The probe revealed "deceptive commercial practices regarding the fully autonomous driving capabilities of Tesla vehicles, the availability of certain options and vehicle trade-in offers", it said.
The agency also cited delays in refunding cancelled orders, a lack of information on the location of deliveries and incomplete sales contracts, among other violations.
Tesla was given four months to comply with regulations.
It faces a daily fine of 50,000 euros ($58,000) if it fails to stop deceptive commercial practices over the fully autonomous driving option of certain Tesla models.
Tesla did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.
Tesla sales have tanked in Europe in recent months owing to an ageing fleet of cars, rising competition and consumer distaste for Elon Musk's role in US President Donald Trump's administration.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
France court jails migrant smugglers over 2022 Channel deaths
France and Britain have vowed to crack down on people smugglers who heap migrants on flimsy dinghies to make the dangerous Channel crossing in exchange for thousands of dollars. In the latest such case to go to court in France, a small boat departed France early on December 14, 2022, carrying people from Afghanistan, Albania, India and Senegal. Four people died and four went missing after the dinghy burst a few kilometres (miles) from the English coast. Only one of the bodies was identified -- that of an Afghan man. Rescuers saved 39 people from drowning. A court in the French city of Lille sentenced three men to eight years behind bars. They included an Afghan being tried in absentia and thought to be the mastermind of the smuggling operation. It handed the rest seven-year sentences over the disaster. They included two Afghan brothers accused of financing the operation and another Afghan who admitted to summoning passengers for the crossing, although he claimed he did it after being threatened. The court ordered all to pay 50,000 to 100,000 euros ($58,000 to 117,000) in fines, and to leave French territory at the end of their sentences. A tenth man, who is being held in Belgium, is to be tried at a later date. A British court has already sentenced a Senegalese minor who steered the boat to nine years in jail, French prosecutors said. During the trial earlier this month, the prosecutor said the dinghy involved in the accident had been "completely unsuitable for navigation on high seas". She said the defendants had been benefitting from a "highly lucrative" illegal trade, with migrants paying on average 3,500 euros ($4,000) for the crossing. Loud bang According to the investigation, several people heard a loud bang that sounded like the dinghy had been punctured before the departure. The smugglers told the passengers not to worry and that the boat was the only one available for the crossing. But the sea was rough and there were not enough life jackets for all the passengers. Those who died were not wearing any, according to the testimony of survivors. After one or two hours, the boat filled with water and panicked passengers stood up to get the attention of another ship. But the hull of the capsizing boat burst under the weight of the water. All the passengers fell into the freezing sea. The 2022 accident was one of the deadliest in the Channel in recent years. In November 2021, another deadly incident killed 27 people off the French coast, in a case that has not yet gone to court. At least 17 people have died attempting the Channel crossing this year, after a record 78 lost their lives last year. As part of efforts to stem migrant crossings, French authorities intervene on land to try to prevent boats leaving. They also intervene at sea but only to rescue passengers if a boat asks for help.

LeMonde
2 hours ago
- LeMonde
John Textor resigns and Michele Kang takes over as president of relegated Lyon
American businesswoman Michele Kang took over on Monday, June 30, as president of seven-time French champion Lyon after John Textor resigned following the club's relegation over financial irregularities. The South Korea-born Kang is also majority owner of the Lyon's women's team – OL Lyonnes – and has been on Lyon's board of directors since 2023. Olympique Lyonnais added that Textor has also resigned from the board of directors. He became Lyon president three years ago, taking over from longstanding incumbent Jean-Michel Aulas, who sold to Textor's Eagle Football Holdings. Lyon said in a statement that Kang will play an "active role" in leading the club's appeal against the relegation handed down last Tuesday by the French league's watchdog, known as DNCG. The case is expected to be heard within the next week. That ruling could also decide whether Crystal Palace will be allowed to play in next season's Europa League, which Lyon also qualified for. Textor also held a 43% stake in Palace – which he has agreed to sell to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson – and UEFA has rules against clubs with the same owner playing the same competition. "A highly respected figure in European football administration, Michael brings over two decades of experience in governance, regulatory affairs and sports operations," Lyon said in its statement. The 66-year-old Kang will be supported in her role by Michael Gerlinger, the general manager of Eagle Football Holdings. €175 million in debt Lyon's run of Ligue 1 titles from 2001-08 made it the powerhouse of French football. Since Paris Saint-Germain took over at the top, fortunes have steadily dipped for Lyon. The decision to relegate the club followed an audit of its finances by the DNCG, with Lyon's current debt estimated at €175 million. The DNCG had already provisionally relegated Lyon to Ligue 2 in November, with the club reporting at the time that it had more than €500 million of debt. A transfer ban was also imposed in the January transfer window. News of Lyon's relegation was met by dismay from Lyon fans, with one historic supporters group, The Bad Gones, leading calls for Textor's immediate resignation. The club shop was tagged with a blunt message urging him to go. A Champions League semi-finalist five years ago, Lyon narrowly lost to Manchester United in the Europa League quarterfinals this season and missed out on a cash windfall when it failed to qualify for next season's Champions League after finishing sixth in Ligue 1. Three weeks ago, Lyon received a much-needed cash injection by selling coveted playmaker Rayan Cherki to Manchester City for €36 million, while high earners like forward Alexandre Lacazette left the club. But it wasn't enough to convince the DNCG that Lyon's books were in order, a task which now falls to Kang. Ligue 1 resumes in mid-August with Lyon scheduled to play at Lens if it wins the appeal. Head of the Washington Spirit Kang assumes majority ownership of Lyon one year after taking over the Washington Spirit women's team in 2022 when average gates were around 3,000. They are now around 15,000. Forbes estimates Kang's worth at $1.2 billion. She also heads Kynisca Sports International, a women-led, multi-team global sports organization. Last November, she pledged $30 million to US Soccer over five years for women and girls – the largest single investment specifically for women's and girl's programs in the federation's history. As well as her donation to US Soccer, in August 2024 her Kynisca Sports organization set up a $50-million global investment fund to help improve the health and performance of elite female athletes. Lyon's women's team – a record eight-time Champions League winner – will enjoy a new, female-specific training campus when it opens in July 2026. The women's team will also share the Groupama Stadium with the men's side.

LeMonde
2 hours ago
- LeMonde
French court jails migrant smugglers over 2022 Channel deaths
A French court on Monday, June 30 sentenced seven Afghans and two Iraqi Kurds to seven to eight years in jail over the deadly capsizing of a boat carrying migrants from France to England in 2022. The small boat had departed France early on December 14, 2022, carrying people from Afghanistan, Albania, India and Senegal. Four people died and four went missing after the boat capsized a few kilometres from the English coast with only one of the bodies identified – an Afghan man. Rescuers saved 39 people from the shipwreck. A court in the French city of Lille sentenced three men to eight years behind bars. They included an Afghan being tried in absentia and thought to be the mastermind of the smuggling operation. It handed the rest seven-year sentences over the disaster, including two Afghan brothers accused of financing the operation. A 10 th man who is being held in Belgium is to be tried at a later date. A British court has already sentenced a Senegalese minor who drove the boat to nine years in jail, French prosecutors said. According to the investigation, several people heard a loud bang that sounded like the boat had been punctured before the departure. The smugglers told the passengers not to worry and that the boat was the only one available for the crossing. But the sea was rough and there were not enough life jackets for all the passengers – those who died were not wearing any, according to the testimony of survivors. After one or two hours, the boat filled with water. Panicked passengers stood up to get the attention of another ship, but the hull of the capsizing boat burst under the weight of the water. All the passengers fell into the freezing sea. The 2022 accident was one of the deadliest in the Channel in recent years. In November 2021, another deadly incident killed 27 people off the French coast, in a case that has not yet gone to court. At least 17 people have died attempting the perilous Channel crossing from France to Britain this year, after a record 78 lost their lives last year.