In the press bulletins published by the Advertisement Board of the Ministry of Trade (“the Board”) on 17 April 2025, 15 May 2025, and 12 June 2025, several decisions concerning the automotive sector were announced. The decisions underscore the Board’s strict approach to consumer protection, transparency in commercial communications, and compliance with the principles of fair competition. Below, we provide a summary of these decisions along with key considerations highlighted by the Board.

1. Misleading Range Claims in Electric Vehicle Advertisements

The Board assessed advertisements relating to electric vehicles and emphasized that any range figures provided in accordance with WLTP standards must be accompanied by a clear disclaimer stating that actual range may vary based on real-life conditions such as ambient temperature, driving style, and use of air conditioning or heating systems.

The omission of this information was found to mislead consumers, as the advertised range did not reflect realistic usage. Consequently, the advertisement in question was deemed deceptive and in violation of the principles of fair competition. Therefore, the Board ordered the suspension of the relevant advertisement.

2. Promotional Maintenance Package for Vehicles Over Three Years Old

An automotive company published promotional content on its website offering advantageous maintenance packages for vehicles older than three years. However, the Board found that:

• None of the authorized service centers were willing to honor the advertised price,
• The website did not provide any guidance or list of participating service centers,
• There was a clear inconsistency between the main promotional claim and its exceptions, especially in the advertising visuals.

The Board concluded that the promotion was misleading and deceptive, resulting in consumer harm and a breach of fair competition rules. Accordingly, the company was fined TRY 600,000 and the advertisement was ordered to be suspended.

3. Interest-Free Credit Offer Limited to Commercial Customers

An automobile company promoted an interest-free credit campaign on its Instagram account, suggesting that this offer was available to all customers purchasing a vehicle. However, the Board found that the offer was exclusively limited to commercial customers, a material limitation that was not disclosed alongside the main advertising message. This omission created the misleading impression that the offer was also valid for individual consumers.

Moreover, the advertisement failed to include legally required information such as the annual and monthly cost percentages of the credit, which are necessary for consumers to evaluate financial offers and for ensuring fair competition in the market. Accordingly, the Board imposed an administrative fine of TRY 863,580 and ordered the suspension of the advertisement.

4. Misleading Use of “0% Interest” and Concealment of Total Credit Cost
The Board also examined another advertisement by an automotive company that promoted a campaign with “0% interest” and discount opportunities. However, it was found that:

• For individual customers, the 0% interest was only available if a certain amount of interest was paid upfront,
• This effectively concealed the actual credit cost and misled consumers into taking out credits under incorrect assumptions,
• The advertisement did not disclose the annual and monthly percentage cost rates, which are mandatory to ensure informed consumer choice and fair competition in the financial market,
• The core campaign promise "0% interest" contradicted the material condition attached to it, resulting in misleading and contradictory information.

As a result, the Board ruled that the campaign was deceptive and imposed an administrative fine of TRY 863,580, along with an order to suspend the advertisement.

These 4 decisions highlight the importance of ensuring that:

• Material limitations or conditions are clearly and prominently stated in advertisements,
• Promotional promises are accurate, verifiable, and consistently applied across all relevant channels,
• Required financial disclosures are provided in line with advertising and consumer protection regulations,
• The information provided does not mislead or misrepresent the offer.