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

tiremeetsroad.com

11–20 of 383 posts

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

#11
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.

That would make much more sense.

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

#12
The main issue here I guess, is Tesla assisting the bailiffs. Bailiffs (here in the UK) have certain legal rights to enter and repossess your house and/or remove property you haven't fully paid for. They are granted this right via a case-by-case court order.

If Telsa are also granted the rights within the court order to assist the bailiffs, then presumably it would be a fully legal action.

At the end of the day, you sign a contract wherein you agree to keep up payments on an item, and if you don't the item will be repossessed. If you don't like those terms, don't get stuff on payment plans.

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

#13
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 ?

It's not even that interesting. Owner doesn't pay bill on an item being used as collateral. Said item is repossessed.

I hope the repo person realizes the future will need that type of job less and less.

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

#14
post #10
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...

While potentially completely unrelated, I've seen how "cowboy-like" the whole bounty hunters situation is over there, so it honestly and unfortunately wouldn't surprise me as much if it were the case with the creditors ...

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

#16
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 ?

A lot of law enforcement is privatized in the USA so a lot of things that would be very illegal in most EU countries is ok there (fx bounty hunters)

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

#17
post #3

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

Yes, it should be. You pay extra in your fees to cover the possible loss of the entity giving you a loan, but they want the extra and not having to deal with the possible loss. They should just suck it up TBH.

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

#18
post #6

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

Ford Pass has the same capability. With self park it could even back out of a spot.

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

#19
post #12

The main issue here I guess, is Tesla assisting the bailiffs. Bailiffs (here in the UK) have certain legal rights to enter and repossess your house and/or remove property you haven't fully paid for. They are granted this right via a case-by-case court order. If Telsa are also granted the rights within the court order to assist the bailiffs, then presumably it would be a fully legal action. At the end of the day, you…

I agree, though I think that ideally companies are advocates for their customers. For example, companies have to turn information over to courts, but they can push back on some, and publish transparency reports for others. Yes, they have to comply with the law, but imo a company has an obligation to advocate for their customers.
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