Ford does not “have any plans to deploy this [technology].”
QUICK FACTS:
- Ford Global Technologies of the Ford Motor Company filed a patent application for technology systems that may “disable functionality of a component of the vehicle or may place the vehicle in a lockout condition.”
- If the owner fails to make car payments, the car’s computer system will disable the air conditioning, remote key fobs, and automatic lock-unlock doors.
- The system is meant to provide “an additional level of discomfort to a driver and occupants of the vehicle” if a car payment is not made.
- If the owner continues to ignore car payments, the vehicle’s sound system may “emit an incessant and unpleasant sound every time the owner is present in the vehicle.”
- The vehicle’s technology may also develop a “geofence” around a given area, permitting the user to drive the car only in a pre-determined area or else face lockout.
- “In some other cases, the vehicle can be an autonomous vehicle…to autonomously move the vehicle from the premises of the owner to a location such as…the premises of the repossession agency,” according to the patent.
FORD “NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT”:
- American Faith reported that the Ford Foundation gave $9.3 million to China in 2021. Some of the recipients included universities affiliated with China’s defense industry.
- Ford announced plans to move forward with its partnership with Chinese company Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. for the development of car batteries.
- The company asserted the motion saved money by using cheaper materials.
- “The closer Ford gets to the Chinese communists, the closer we’re going to look at their business,” said a source close to Republican congressional leaders.
- “We’re quickly approaching the point where Ford’s business practices are becoming a national security threat,” they added.
BACKGROUND:
- According to a report from Cox Automotive, the severe delinquency rate, which is the percentage of borrowers who are 90 days or more behind on their payments, is the “highest we have seen.”
- The payment delinquency rate of more than 60 days is up 20.4% from last year.
