Page 13 - MIADA-Q3-2022

FEA TURE

As vehicles become increasingly advanced, Not to pick on Tesla, but these issues are
many OEMs are integrating technology going to increase as OEMs start relying
that includes the ability to upload on OTA fixes. We need to address them
software updates by over-the-air (OTA) now, well before other factories subscribe
methods. Tesla has been doing this since to a model that does not protect vehicle
Technology, its inception. But there are only so many owners from dangerous recalls or promote
repairs that can be solved from afar. While consumer interests. Pre-owned Teslas
Recalls, and it is great that some of these recalls can be are showing up at dealerships. When
accomplished without the customer going those vehicles sell, the buyer becomes
into a dealership, what happens when second-generation. And, you know what?
they can’t – or won’t? And, even when the According to a recent article on Fox News,
Inevitable vehicle owner wants to comply with the pre-owned Teslas (both Model 3 and
recall notice, does a factory-direct model Model Y) are TWO of the five most desired
accommodate service at a local level as a vehicles as of May 2022. They are showing
Challenges dealer does? up for sale at dealerships that do not have
technicians or equipment to recondition
It is well known that there is a huge issue them.
with recall compliance — whether that
BY SEAN REYES, is because the owner trashes the notice, On the consumer side, electric vehicles
RECALL MASTERS doesn’t have time, doesn’t care, can’t be (EVs) cost 2.3 times more to service than
reached– or whatever the reason may be. internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles,
How about second or third-generation according to Automotive News. Simply
owners that may never get notified? installing charging stations is upwards
of $220,000, which some OEMs are
Consider what happens when the vehicle mandating.
dies from lack of electricity – it’s not like
an OEM beam the car some more? What I am certainly not saying that EVs are
about when EV owners need to replace bad, only that they add a new layer of
their tires? According to Automotive challenge to recall repairs from every
News, this is a big concern as dealerships angle and that, without local dealerships
and tire manufacturers don’t have who can thoroughly assist consumers, we
inventory for OEM or aftermarket tires. need to reset our processes. Some dealers
Can new tires be solved OTA? No. What can’t afford to retrofit their dealerships to
about the front trunk flying off while OEM standards which, assuming everyone
being driven? Can Tesla replace the ends up with an EV, will force them out of
front trunk OTA? No. I’m all in favor of business.
whatever is convenient for the consumer
and which promotes safety – that Then we have the challenge of servicing
includes over-the-air updates and mobile those vehicles that cannot be repaired via
repair in the consumer’s driveway. Even an OTA because the recall is physical and
with EVs and the volume of software/ not software related. Then there is the
electronics recalls associated with this challenge of getting first-generation owners
next generation of vehicles, we’ll still to come in and get their EV recall repair
service centers for more complex repairs completed — which has been a challenge
or those that require a lift. for years with ICE vehicles. And now we are
seeing used EVs being sold which creates
While EVs present a potential solution more generations of owners. And these
to environmental concerns, they are second and third-generation owners are
more expensive than combustion engine that much harder to reach.
vehicles. In and of itself, this presents
a challenge. The lack of EV-trained It’s kind of like that butterfly that flaps its
technicians or nearby Tesla service wings and creates a tornado on the other
facilities for most consumers presents side of the world. We don’t know where this
challenges. It’s hard enough to get phenomenon of circumstances will end up
consumers to drive 5 miles to their local or how OEMs will solve it. But people are
dealership. How can we expect them indeed dying because technology has failed
to drive a potential 100 miles to get a in their vehicles and, no matter how many
“physical” recall fixed that cannot be that number is, one is too many. Much less
done OTA? three. n

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