Renault Could Electronically Repossess Their Cars
There's a post on Gas2.org by Christopher DeMorro about how French automaker Renault can cut off your car battery if you don't make payments on time:
It's another form of DRM, or Digital Rights Management, that video game and movie companies use to try (and fail) to prevent piracy. Renault, which leases the batteries in vehicle like its Zoe Z.E. electric car in a bid to keep prices down (and probably make a few extra bucks in the long game), also draws a huge amount of information from the battery data.This includes keeping tabs on non-paying customers, and Renault worked a nifty feature into their rented batteries that they didn't exactly brag about in the press releases. In the service contract, however, in the fine print, it is revealed that Renault has the right to prevent charging of the Zoe Z.E. at the end of the battery rental contract. It was also revealed that Renault can do this in the case of non-payment on the car or battery as well, effectively making "your" vehicle worthless.
In theory this is a huge advancement for car dealers, financial companies, and local police departments. The fear I have is when Renault inevitably screws up processing someone's payment, bricking a paying customer's car and essentially preventing them from getting to work, starting a vicious cycle that could really screw somebody over.
via Jay J. Hector
I totally agree - yes, the dealer or finance company has the right to repossess their car if you aren't living up to the lease or payment terms.
However, repossessing a car the "old fashioned way" was quite involved - repo men put their lives on the line "stealing" back a behind-on-payments car, and, as a result, will make sure that they don't screw up. (not that screw ups didn't happen; just ask NYPD how many times they broke down the wrong door on a drug raid)
But, just entering some numbers or flipping a switch to "repossess" a car is just too easy and will be more prone to mistakes than the old fashioned way. Your car payment gets credited to the wrong account one month and suddenly your car won't start and you're late for work. (and with my luck it would be on the day the boss is deciding who to lay off)
If American car sellers start this; I would like to say that our news media would keep on top of how many times such mistakes happen; but, I don't have much faith in them anymore as they can be had for the low price of a pat on the head. (good boy, MSNBC - pat, pat, pat; bad boy Fox News - gets kicked out of press conference)
Charles at November 17, 2013 1:41 PM
A few years ago my co-worker had his Corolla repossessed twice in a three month period. He was living in an apartment complex. He was wearing Navy blues at the time he called the cops. It seems the VIN's last five digits were transposed and only had two different (like 45829 v. 54B21). The cops were willing to write up a stolen vehicle report if the repo guys didn't get his car back soon.
Another scary thing is the wording: "it is revealed that Renault has the right to prevent charging of the Zoe Z.E. at the end of the battery rental contract." So Joe comes down in a rush, unplugs, gets in and is on the three mile stretch of the motorway when the batteries run out. When the freight truck runs over him will he care about the "mistake"?
Jim P. at November 17, 2013 2:53 PM
Can't help but wonder how secure that data link is... given carmakers' past practices regarding electronic (or even mechanical) door locks, I'm not too optimistic.
Cousin Dave at November 18, 2013 7:23 AM
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