If the driver takes hands off the wheel, audible and visual warnings arise. If the warnings are ignored, the automatic safety systems disable themselves.
Mercedes-Benz is pulling an advertisement for its 2017 E-Class vehicles called “The Future,” which touts automated features available in the 2017 E-Class as the next step toward a self-driving car. The move comes after consumer and auto safety advocates sent a letter the Federal Trade Commission calling on the agency to investigate the ads. Critics say it has the potential to mislead drivers into thinking that th this is a self-driving car. The cars, in fact, come with frequent reminders in various forms telling drivers to keep their hands on the wheel. Since debuting in March, the ad has aired nationally nearly 500 times. (See Safety Groups Want FTC Probe on E-Class Self-Driving Car Ads )
“Consumers deserve clear can you buy accutane online communication about what new technologies in vehicles can and cannot do. All auto companies should be sure that their marketing choices don’t run the risk of making consumers think a car or safety feature is more capable than it is,” said William Wallace, policy analyst for Consumers Union, the lobbying arm of the testing organization.
“Yes, given the claim that consumers could confuse the autonomous driving capability of the F015 concept car with the driver assistance systems of our new E-Class in our ad ‘The Future,’ we have decided to take this one ad out of the E-Class campaign rotation,” Mercedes spokesperson told AutoInformed.
“It was scheduled to run for a little longer before being replaced. We do not want any potential confusion in the marketplace to detract from the giant step forward in vehicle safety – an accident free future that the 2017 E-class represents.”
