Getting brand-new vehicles has become easier in recent years. Let’s take Ford, for example. The brand is one of those who give out lots of low downpayment, low monthly payment schemes and that’s why you see so many of their vehicles on the road. In the future, you might even see some of these brand-new units drive themselves off and back to the dealership (or bank) if the buyer misses out on loan payments.
Say what now?!
Ford files patent for “Systems and Methods to Repossess a Vehicle”
That’s right, folks. A patent filed by Ford with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) called “Systems and Methods to Repossess a Vehicle” includes some curious features and “protocols” should a buyer lag behind on loan payments. It won’t drive itself back into the loving arms of Ford, though, and certain reminders will go off first before it finally does that.
Photo: Ford
It’s safe to assume that missing out on a payment will get the buyer a good number of reminders through email and SMS and phone calls, as is “standard”. A good-paying customer would heed these reminders and settle their monthly due immediately, right? But for those who aren’t and don’t, they’re going to be in for a rude awakening.
One by one, the vehicle’s features and functions like the GPS, radio and infotainment system, and even the climate control will be deactivated remotely. If that’s not enough, there will be “an incessant and unpleasant sound” that will buzz inside the cabin so even if you can drive around, you can already imagine how annoying that’s going to be. Rightfully so, because, well, you did miss out on a payment.
Still not enough to make you settle your bill? The vehicle then locks itself out and the range within which you can drive it is greatly cut down. If this still doesn’t prompt a payment, then the final straw is that the vehicle will actually drive itself to a dealership, a bank, a yard, or a pre-designated area where it can properly be transported back to the repo men (or women).
Photo: Ford
The good news is that this is still a patent, and it’s not an active system just yet. But you should know that in the future, your Ford can literally leave you with nothing but the kitchen sink. Or more properly, an empty garage. So if you ever decide on getting a brand new vehicle, regardless of the brand, make sure you’re well capable of managing your finances and your payments.
We won’t be surprised if other manufacturers consider using something like this for their vehicles, too, to be honest. After all, your payments are your responsibility, right?
