Mercedes-Benz are currently being challenged by consumer and auto safety advocates, who have asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the automaker over a TV commercial for the 2017 E-Class.

Their issue with the ad is that it could mislead consumers by overstating the sedan’s self-driving characteristics. In a letter to FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, consumer and safety advocates claim the E-Class doesn’t even meet the NHTSA’s definition of a fully or partially self-driving car – and yet it’s “marketed in a way that a reasonable consumer would believe it does,” which in turn could give people “a false sense of security in the ability of the car to operate autonomously.”

According to Autonews, the letter is signed by leaders of Consumer Reports, the Center for Auto Safety and the Consumer Federation of America and by ex-NHTSA administrator Joan Claybrook.

While self-driving systems have come under intense scrutiny recently after a Tesla Model S driver died in a crash with the car’s Autopilot driver-assist system engaged, Mercedes insist that it’s not their intention for people to get confused regarding what a driver-assist system is and can do. A company spokeswoman commented that the only connection between such a system and fully autonomous cars is that “one leads to the other, but they are not the same”.

“The systems used in the new E-Class are clearly identified as ‘driver assistance systems’, which we have spent the better part of two decades developing in pursuit of an accident-free future,” said the spokeswoman. “The Future, featuring the F015 concept car, is intended to draw the connection between that vision and the innovations that are in today’s Mercedes-Benz models.”

In the YouTube version of the ad, dubbed ‘The Future’ you do hear the narrator say “Is the world truly ready for a vehicle that can drive itself? Ready or not, the future is here.” However, the fine print at the bottom of the screen states that “Vehicle cannot drive itself, but has automated driving features. The system will remind the driver frequently to keep hands on the steering wheel. Always observe safe driving practices and obey all road traffic regulations.”

Safety advocates are saying that FTC guidance bars advertisers from using the fine print for contradictory statements in an ad, or to “clear up false impressions the ad might leave.”

Note: Mercedes have since made the video private.

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