1y ago

Now that cars are like smartphones, we don’t really own them

www.washingtonpost.com /technology/2023/11/10/car-right-to-repair/

In a dispute over a repair law, Subaru and Kia crippled their own wireless features in Massachusetts. Maine could be next.

Technology @lemmy.world

www.washingtonpost.com /technology/2023/11/10/car-right-to-repair/

38 2

Technology @lemmy.world

Now that cars are like smartphones, we don’t really own them

www.washingtonpost.com /technology/2023/11/10/car-right-to-repair/

318 64

30 comments

I mean, I think the only proper response to this is just a boycott or a straight ban on companies that do that in the states. It would let smaller companies slide in, or other competitors take over. Currently it's a contest between the two companies and their customers, just don't buy if they don't have the features, companies will either revert the decision or pull out of the regions.
- The solution is strong regulation. Just completely disallow things like this.
  
  This is the true answer here.
  Government doing it's job and regulating companies to prevent anti-consumer practices and hostile design.
  
  I agree. There's not like hundreds of unknown car manufacturers just waiting for this privacy opportunity to strike so they make it big, who can then ramp up production to meet the need.. There's no way free market principles can provide a solution in this case
- And when all the auto manufacturers are doing that? We all drive a Little Tikes coupe?
  Not like we have much choice because they will all do it.
  
  Buy used and repair it
  
  Capitalism always takes over, if there is potential to sell someone will step in. Used to have small car shops and stores all around, big companies came in and they all closed shop, it'll go back to that most likely, although it's more likely other competitors will take advantage of the situation and just move in instead. Especially if the situation expands to further states.
- I don't think I've ever seen a boycott actually work. We need to force them with regulation or other means.
  
  In the States at least there are far too many dumb consumers for any meaningful boycott. I think we'll have to rely on the EU to save us, as usual.

Which is why I'm going to keep buying older, "dumb" cars as long as a can. Not only do they not have this BS they are easier to work on. My oldest car is a 2012 Mazda3 (after my son totaled the 2007 Accord).
- 2003 Toyota. Using it till the wheels fall off.
  I made a sizable dent with my trailer a few days ago and had a good laugh.
- Story time
  
  It's not a very thrilling story...
  There is a 2-way stop around the corner from our house that you have to use pretty much all the time to go anywhere. He was turning left, dude across the way was turning right. We'd told him over and over and over just let the other person go because they are going to go anyway. Well, he didn't listen. He turned (and had the right-away as he was there first) only to be hit on the passenger-side front by an F350 with a trailer. It was very low speed but big-ass truck vs little sedan it was done for. Fortunately, highway patrol had no problem realizing it was the other dudes fault so cited him and his insurance had to pay for the total. Ended up replacing it with a 2014 Focus which is very meh but it's been largely fine.