Latest news with #deceptiveMarketing
Reuters
08-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
US FTC demands better policing of 'Made in USA' online sales claims
July 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday called on (AMZN.O), opens new tab and Walmart (WMT.N), opens new tab to crack down on third-party sellers that make deceptive "Made in USA" claims on the retailing giants' online marketplaces. In letters to Amazon and Walmart, the FTC said it learned of several instances where third-party sellers falsely claimed their products were made in the United States. The FTC urged both companies to take "corrective action" against sellers whose "Made in USA" claims violate federal law and Amazon's and Walmart's codes of conduct. Four smaller retailers also received FTC warning letters demanding they cease "Made in USA" claims unless they prove "all or virtually all" of the products in question are made domestically. The four retailers are Oak Street Bootmakers in Chicago; Stand Flag Poles in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; football equipment maker Pro Sports Pads in Jacksonville, Florida, and medical products maker USA Big Mountain Paper, also in Jacksonville. Walmart had no immediate comment. The other five companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "Consumers want to have confidence that when they buy something labeled 'Made in the USA' they are actually supporting American workers and the American economy," FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said in a statement. Many companies have been accused by regulators or in private lawsuits of using imprecise labeling to induce shoppers to pay more, including through appeals to their patriotism. In 2021, the FTC adopted a "Made in USA Labeling Rule" to protect businesses and consumers. The agency later brought cases against kitchenware and home furnishings retailer Williams-Sonoma and Pyrex kitchenware maker Instant Brands, and said it obtained $15.8 million of judgments, opens new tab in 11 "Made in USA" enforcement actions between 2021 and 2024.
Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
France accuses Musk's Tesla of lying about self-driving cars
Tesla has been ordered to stop making 'deceptive' claims about its self-driving vehicles in France as authorities go to war with Elon Musk's electric carmaker. France's general directorate for competition, consumer affairs and fraud control said it had found a series of breaches by Tesla during investigations in 2023 and 2024 and that the the EV maker had engaged in 'deceptive marketing practices regarding the fully autonomous driving capability' of its vehicles. It has ordered the carmaker to end the 'deceptive' practices or face a fine of €50,000 (£42,600) a day for every day after the order deadline. Among a list of allegations from the French watchdog, Tesla was also accused of issuing sales contracts without a date and failing to provide valid receipts if customers made partial payments in cash. It also said Tesla had failed to provide refunds on time after consumers changed their mind during cooling off periods and had not provided sufficient information on delivery methods. The French investigation is the latest example of a backlash against Mr Musk in the country because of his support for Donald Trump. Earlier this month, it emerged that a group of French drivers are suing Tesla, claiming that Mr Musk has turned their cars into totems of the 'extreme Right'. The lawsuit filed on behalf of 10 drivers in Paris says the perception the vehicles have become political symbols 'prevents them from fully enjoying their car'. In March, a dozen Teslas were set alight in a suspected arson attack at a French car dealership. Eight vehicles were burned and four badly damaged in the incident near the southern city of Toulouse. Tesla has suffered a sales slump in France in January, registering only 1,141 vehicles, down by almost two thirds from 3,118 last year. Tesla's performance lagged the wider industry and total EV sales, which were down 6.2pc and 0.5pc respectively, according to figures from French industry body La Plateforme Automobile. The French intervention also comes at a sensitive time for Tesla as it launches its robotaxis in the US. Its self-driving vehicles were caught speeding and driving into oncoming traffic after the driverless ride-hailing service hit roads for the first time this week. Videos shared by some of the first customers in Austin, Texas, showed the autonomous cars breaking the speed limit on multiple occasions. Another video showed the self-driving car briefly cross into the wrong lane at a junction, before swerving back. Tesla launched its self-driving taxi service in Austin on Sunday to a small number of customers with just a dozen cars in a limited part of the city. The vehicles, all Tesla Model Y cars with 'Robotaxi' branding, had a safety driver onboard in the front passenger seat. Mr Musk's company charged an initial fee of $4.20 (£3.10) for the first riders. Mr Musk has been seeking to accelerate Tesla's plans to launch a ride-hailing service after years of missed deadlines. It is part of a wider bid to revive the electric vehicle-maker's fortunes amid a slump in demand for its cars.
