Ad watchdog Truth in Advertising (TINA.org) said on November 7, 2022 that it had warned seven automakers that their “made,” “built” or “manufactured” in the USA ads go too far.
What TINA.org found
- The letters went to Toyota, BMW, Honda, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda and Tesla, which together hold nearly half of the USA market.
- TINA.org said the cars are assembled in the USA with a significant amount of foreign parts.
- Under FTC policy, a product advertised as made in the USA must be “all or virtually all” made here.
- Examples included TV commercials, YouTube ads, social media posts and claims on company websites.
“American consumers, who prefer products that are made in the U.S. and are even willing to pay a premium for them, deserve truthful origin marketing from the auto industry.”
Bonnie Patten, executive director, TINA.org
FAQ
Which automakers?
Toyota, BMW, Honda, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda and Tesla.
What is the problem?
Assembled cars with significant foreign parts marketed as made in the USA.
What is the FTC standard?
“All or virtually all” made in the USA.
Source & credit
Source: TINA.org via GlobeNewswire (Benzinga), November 7, 2022: “TINA.org Notifies Automakers Deceptively Marketing Made in USA Vehicles”.