Tesla remotely unlocks Model 3 car, uses smart summon to help repo agent

It sounds plausible, but almost illegal ? I'm in EU so don't know how really things work over there, but I would assume Tesla would need a judicial order siding with the bank to be able to do this ? I mean it's probably not the wild west over there. Or is it ?

Re: Tesla remotely unlocks Model 3 car, uses smart summon to help repo agent

#5

Post by k8sToGo » Mon, Dec 20, 2021, 12:08 PM UTC

aneutron wrote: post #4

While this is an "interesting" story, I'd love to get some verification on it. It sounds plausible, but almost illegal ? I'm in EU so don't know how really things work over there, but I would assume Tesla would need a judicial order siding with the bank to be able to do this ? I mean it's probably not the wild west over there. Or is it ?

We do not have Repo in EU like they do in the US.

Re: Tesla remotely unlocks Model 3 car, uses smart summon to help repo agent

#6

Post by rvz » Mon, Dec 20, 2021, 12:08 PM UTC

Unsurprising and seen here: [0] A text book definition of a backdoor.

It is still not your car. It is still Tesla's.

[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26512855

Re: Tesla remotely unlocks Model 3 car, uses smart summon to help repo agent

#7

Post by chippiewill » Mon, Dec 20, 2021, 12:08 PM UTC

aneutron wrote: post #4

While this is an "interesting" story, I'd love to get some verification on it. It sounds plausible, but almost illegal ? I'm in EU so don't know how really things work over there, but I would assume Tesla would need a judicial order siding with the bank to be able to do this ? I mean it's probably not the wild west over there. Or is it ?

I think the mention of a bank is misleading. I think in this case the owner organised finance with Tesla directly. When he failed to pay Tesla on time they repo'd the car themselves.

Re: Tesla remotely unlocks Model 3 car, uses smart summon to help repo agent

#8

Post by RcouF1uZ4gsC » Mon, Dec 20, 2021, 12:10 PM UTC

When reading the tweet, I get the feeling that it is satire (kind of like the Onion).

I am not aware that Tesla is directly financing the vehicles, so why would they hire a repo person to go repossess it? In addition, given the OTA update capabilities of Tesla, they could probably just remotely disable the car, and not have to worry about the expense of liability of a repo agent. In addition, the picture is weird, as if you had such full control of the car, why would you need to put a "boot" on the car to immobilize it, since it would make driving it back to Tesla harder.

I am calling satire on the tweet, until further proof.

Re: Tesla remotely unlocks Model 3 car, uses smart summon to help repo agent

#9

Post by stevewodil » Mon, Dec 20, 2021, 12:11 PM UTC

causi wrote: post #3

Should this be illegal? No, probably not. Is this the future I want to live in? Also no.

Seriously, they chase down normal cars for repossession I don’t feel strongly that this is all that different than it getting towed from your driveway.

Would I be really annoyed if it was my car? Yeah, but at the same time it’s up for repo either way.

We already knew that Tesla HQ can control the cars for service and such

Re: Tesla remotely unlocks Model 3 car, uses smart summon to help repo agent

#10

Post by Ekaros » Mon, Dec 20, 2021, 12:11 PM UTC

aneutron wrote: post #4

While this is an "interesting" story, I'd love to get some verification on it. It sounds plausible, but almost illegal ? I'm in EU so don't know how really things work over there, but I would assume Tesla would need a judicial order siding with the bank to be able to do this ? I mean it's probably not the wild west over there. Or is it ?

I suppose it really depends on exact legal contract. Is the financing that is loan against the vehicle and it is owned by the user. Or is it essentially rented.

And in first case even with court order there is good question about other creditors...