PARIS, June 24 (Reuters) - French investigators on

Tuesday ordered Tesla to stop what they called

"deceptive business practices" or face thousands of euros in

fines.

Investigators at the finance ministry's Competition,

Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control office said the automaker had

engaged in deceptive commercial practices over the fully

autonomous driving capabilities of its cars, had issued sales

contracts with no date, time or place of vehicle delivery, and

had failed to provide timely refunds, among other infractions.

The office, which said the investigation began in 2023,

ordered Tesla to comply with regulations within four months or

face fines of 50,000 euros a day after that date until it

complies.

Tesla did not respond to an email request for comment.

The carmaker has struggled in Europe in recent months, with

sales of its electric vehicles plummeting in several markets in

a decline blamed partly on CEO Elon Musk's political activities.

A small group of Tesla owners in France filed a lawsuit this

month against the carmaker, arguing that its vehicles have

become "far-right totems" after Musk's involvement with U.S.

President Donald Trump and endorsement of Germany's far-right

AfD party.