#Diagnostic Automotive Tools

[automaxtools]

The TOPDON T90A Battery Maintainer is your go-to solution for ensuring your car battery stays in peak condition. Designed for efficiency and durability, this car battery jumper provides superior performance, making it an essential tool for every vehicle owner. Whether you’re maintaining a seasonal vehicle or prepping for long drives, the T90A keeps your battery healthy and fully charged.

Key Features:

Advanced charging technology to protect and extend battery life.

Compact, lightweight design for easy storage and portability.

Suitable for cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles.

User-friendly interface with safety features like overcharge protection.

Don't let a dead battery leave you stranded. Choose the TOPDON T90A Battery Maintainer and drive with confidence!

#TOPDONT90A #CarBatteryJumper #BatteryMaintainer #CarCareEssentials #StayCharged

[bhavesh-31]

Explore the booming Automotive Diagnostic Scan Tool Market and how it's transforming vehicle maintenance. From advanced fault detection to real-time updates, find out why these tools are a must-have for the automotive industry in 2024. 🚗🔧 #AutoDiagnostics #ScanTools #AutomotiveTrends

For more info: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/automotive-diagnostic-scan-tools-market

[diagnostic-car-scanners]

Best Car Diagnostic Scanner

Best Car Diagnostic scanner or scanner is a tool used to interface with and retrieve information from a vehicle's onboard computer system.

DaTo DAS723 PRO ULTRA developed by DaTo, is a professional Auto Smart Car Diagnostic Tool that integrates ADAS calibration, anti-theft matching and programming, tire tread detection/oscilloscope/multimeter/current clamp and other extended functions, supports full system and full function diagnosis and more than 30 common special functions.

DAS723 PRO ULTRA car diagnostic scanner has a vehicle communication interface (VCI) device. This car scanner VCI connects the vehicle diagnosis seat or battery pack low-voltage signal communication interface for data collection and then sends the data to the host for analysis.

More About Scanner : https://datoscan.com

[axiomtools]

TEXA Diagnostic Tools: The Mechanic's Superpower for Flawless Automotive Diagnosis

The software capabilities of TEXA automotive diagnostics tools represent a cornerstone in modern vehicle servicing. With advanced features tailored for a diverse array of vehicles, from cars and trucks to agricultural machinery, TEXA tools stand out for their extensive compatibility and reliability. 

Read More : https://medium.com/@axiomtools3/texa-diagnostic-tools-the-mechanics-superpower-for-flawless-automotive-diagnosis-255a003e984d 

[m1autorepair]

Mitchell 1 is a proud member of the TOTAL SHOP SOLUTIONS (TSS) family of Snap-on® brands that bring together best-in-class automotive repair products from across the industry.

From repair information and diagnostics, collision repair, wheel balancers, wheel aligners, to brake lathe and automotive lifts, the TSS brands offer a unique scope of solutions to outfit any shop from floor to ceiling.

Learn more about it here: https://www.m1repair.com/mitchell1-prodemand-building-strength-on-strength-through-the-snap-on-family-of-brands

🚗 GET STARTED NOW with a 14 day free trial of Mitchell 1 ProDemand auto repair information for your business. No Obligation. No Credit card. No Risk! It's 100% FREE!

[superkilometerfilter]

What Is Mileage Rollback Tool And Why Is It Crucial In The Automobile Industry?

Mileage rollback tool is a vehicle device that can reverse and change the mileage in your car. Nowadays, when odometer manipulations have become a common practice, transparency is crucial for buyers and sellers. To resolve the issue, automobile industries have developed numerous features; however, individuals with fraudulent ideas still manage to manipulate the correct mileage. They use cheap gadgets that will interfere with the auto system and take complete control. Hence, they could change miles and display misleading numbers on your instrument cluster. Despite attempts, scanner tools and professionals can easily trace almost all such devices. This is why it’s essential to have precise mileage recording.

HOW DOES THE ROLL BACK ODOMETER TOOL WORKS?

The auto rollback tool is designed to tamper the odometer and change, reverse or reset the mileage numbers shown on the dashboard. Such tools aim to modify the correct information and replace it with the faulty miles. People with that in mind use mileage rollback tools. So, how does this tool work? First, a person needs a tool to roll back odometer. In most cases, this odoo device is a rollback gadget. Then they try to connect the device to a car they want to heck. As soon as the connection is established, they can tampere the odometer and start rolling back the mileage. After the rollback, the system will display miles lower than the covered distance. The idea and the instructions are similar to all rollback devices. There might be slight variations depending on the model, but they work similarly. Even though the mileage rollback tool seems appealing to everyone, it is not the best solution for car owners. It may turn out that odoo manipulation was a wrong decision, and you regret the steps you made. Therefore, carefully consider your intentions and thoroughly research the possible consequences.

THE FLAWS OF USING THE ROLL BACK ODOMETER TOOL

Sometimes it seems as if everybody can change mileage in their vehicles. Of course, this is not true and usually ends up being inconvenient. So, what are the issues with utilizing such tools? First, using any device requires professionals who know how to use them correctly. If you decide to do it yourself, ensure you know exactly what to do. Otherwise, you will make a mistake that you might regret soon. The tool to roll back odometer is not a free device, but it surely does not cost too much either. That is why people who want to display low miles on their cars decide to buy them. This is the first mistake they make. These tools interfere with the vehicle system and make it follow specific instructions. This may trigger system failure and result in misleading data all the time. Moreover, even if the rollback devices were installed properly and they can alter the mileage effectively, there is a major issue with this gadget. It is easily traceable and scanner devices will identify the correct mileage. this will put you in an uncomfortable situation and can create a far more serious issue.

IS THE MILEAGE ROLLBACK TOOL LEGAL?

Vehicle mileage is one of the most significant meters for every car owner. Buyers always check the correct data, and they pay too much attention to the distance. So, it is not easy to fabricate the information and just show people the wrong data. However, here is a more important question regarding this matter. Is rollback legal? In the United States, any form of odometer manipulation is against the law. The federal status regulates this matter, and such actions will cause a legal dispute against you. roll back odometer tool is illegal, and the penalty will vary based on the state you live in. This is called odometer fraud, and once officials find the wrong mileage, it will surely become a problem. The United States is not the only case. The odometer fraud is forbidden in the European Union as well. The EU does not have one common law for every country, but they all agree that such actions should be eliminated. This means that countries have laws regulating this subject, and the person responsible will have different penalties in different countries. Meaning that you must think carefully if you try using a tool to roll back odometer.

THE RISE OF THE ROLLBACK TOOL

People know that using mileage rollback tools is illegal, and this will cause issues in the future. However, they continue using them and don’t change their methods. Even more, odometer manipulations are becoming more common every single day.

Do you wonder why people use a mileage rollback tool?

The major reason is to change the vehicle resale price. Cars with low mileage have higher value, and the seller will make a huge profit. While, automobiles with higher mileage will cost less on the market. To make better profits, people try to artificially make a difference.

Lowering insurance costs is another significant reason behind the mileage correction. It is not a secret that insurance companies will calculate your overall mileage while calculating the price. So, people try to reverse miles on their vehicles with the roll back odometer tool.

Insurance policies are not only costs at the end of a year. Several policies and payments take your vehicle mileage information into consideration. And when everything adds up, the overall costs become huge. This is why individuals with not too high income often try to somehow lower their expenses and it mostly implies using the odometer rollback devices.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ACCURATE MILEAGE IN VEHICLES AND HOW TO AVOID FRAUD?

As you can see, people frequently use a tool to roll back odometer. Fraud is a huge challenge for every car owner. It’s hard to look at the speedometer or odometer and tell whether there is a sign of manipulation. However, there are several steps that will minimize the risks and help you quickly identify the issues.

Requesting official records: before buying a used car, always request the official auto records. These documents contain authorized data regarding the mileage and previous services. Once you receive the statistics, compare it to the actual showing on the dashboard. If you notice a mismatch in a vehicle, you can assume that the mileage rollback tool was used.

Check and find physical damage on the vehicle instrument panel. The idea behind such action is that Odoo fraud is done by physically removing the dashboard. During the process, many people leave scratches or damage to different parts. Hence, external flaws can be another indicator of odometer fraud.

Look at the wear and tear of the automobile. Check the pedals, seat covers and steering wheel. In new cars with low mileage, you shouldn’t see obvious signs of wear.

THE BEST MILEAGE BLOCKER DEVICE

The mileage is a significant component of a vehicle. Testers often need to stop the mileage recording process to modify and correct the functioning of the odometer. However, they could not achieve this, as companies failed to develop a tool to change the mileage without a trace. This is why the SuperKiloemterFilter has developed an innovative device – the mileage blocker. Compared to the roll back odometer tool, the mileage blocker only alters the distance recording process and does not store the mileage-related information in the ECUs. Therefore, even scanner tools and Carfax cannot trace the actual mileage of a vehicle. This blocker has various advantages. It is the only one that comes with a mobile application. You can now change the modes while driving from your smartphone. Furthermore, it includes easy installation instructions, and anybody can set it up without the need to go to a nearby garage. In addition, this device is not a tool to roll back odometer. The mileage blocker does not change, reverse or reset the existing miles. It only stops the counting of extra mileage. Now you can purchase the mileage blocker from the SKF website. For further information, please contact customer support.

TAKEAWAY

Mileage rollback tool is a device to manipulate the odometer and alter, reverse, or reset the mileage displayed on the dashboard. The rollback devices are easily traceable by the Carfax. For testers, the SKF team has created the mileage blocker, which does not store mileage data in the system and is therefore untraceable. Remember to use this device ethically and always contact customer service for details.

[businesspointnews]

Automotive Diagnostic Scan Tools Market Analysis of Future Perspectives (2024-2032)

IMARC Group has recently released a new research study titled “Automotive Diagnostic Scan Tools Market Report by Offering Type (Diagnostic Hardware, Diagnostic Software, Diagnostic Services), Tool Type (DIY Diagnostic, OEMS Diagnostics, Professional Diagnostics), Propulsion Type (IC Engine Vehicles, Electric Vehicles), Vehicle Type (Passenger Vehicle, Commercial Vehicle), and Region 2024-2032”,…

[david843346]

Automotive Diagnostic Scan Tools Market Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2033

Research Nester published a report titled “Automotive Diagnostic Scan Tools Market: Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2033” which delivers detailed overview of the global automotive diagnostic scan tools market in terms of market segmentation by product type, by equipment type, by connectivity, by vehicle type, and by region.

Further, for the in-depth analysis, the report encompasses the industry growth indicators, restraints, supply and demand risk, along with detailed discussion on current and future market trends that are associated with the growth of the market.

The global automotive diagnostic scan tools market is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of ~7% during the forecast period, i.e., 2023-2033. The market is segmented by vehicle type into passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles. Out of these segments, the passenger segment is anticipated to garner the largest market share over the forecast period, owing to the increasing production of passenger vehicles. In addition, increasing penetration of passenger cars among populace is also expected to boost the growth of the segment in the coming years.

The global automotive diagnostic scan tools market is estimated to garner a revenue of ~USD 70 billion by the end of 2033, backed by the increasing number of cars worldwide. Various features provided by automotive diagnostic scan tools, including fault detection through the diagnosis of vehicle control modules and are also projected to boost sales of these tools in the coming years. Moreover, increasing use of handheld diagnostic scanners as well as increasing penetration of commercial vehicles is also projected to propel the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Geographically, the global automotive diagnostic scan tools market is segmented into five major regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa region. Out of these, the market in Asia Pacific is estimated to garner the largest market share over the forecast period, owing to the rising production of vehicles.  Apart from this, the market in Europe is anticipated to register significant growth in the coming years.

The research is global in nature and covers detailed analysis on the market in North America (U.S., Canada), Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg, NORDIC [Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark], Poland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Rest of Latin America), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Middle East and Africa (Israel, GCC [Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman], North Africa, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa). In addition, analysis comprising market size, Y-O-Y growth & opportunity analysis, market players’ competitive study, investment opportunities, demand for future outlook etc. has also been covered and displayed in the research report.

Increasing Research and Development (R&D) to Drive the Market Growth

According to the data, the global R&D spending in the automobile sector was estimated more than USD 136 billion in 2020.

The increasing R&D spending is expected to accelerate the market growth in the coming years, as R&D investment by automakers can fulfill various consumer demands for more innovated product, tools and technologies which will result into better performance, improved safety, higher emission standards, and lower costs. Moreover, the increasing technological advancements as well as the increasing measures to reduce NOX emission are also expected to drive the growth of the global automotive diagnostic scan tools market during the forecast period.

However, the low awareness regarding the benefits of automotive diagnostic scan tools in the populace and high cost of technology are expected to operate as key restraints to the growth of global automotive diagnostic scan tools market over the forecast period.

This report also provides the existing competitive scenario of some of the key players of the of global automotive diagnostic scan tools market which includes company profiling of Actia Group SA, Robert Bosch GmbH, Autel Intelligent Technology Corp., Ltd., Continental AG, Daimler AG, Delphi Automotive PLC, Denso Corporation, Volkswagen AG, and Volvo Group, Honda Motor Company. The profiling enfolds key information of the companies which encompasses business overview, products and services, key financials and recent news and developments. On the whole, the report depicts detailed overview of the of global automotive diagnostic scan tools market that will help industry consultants, equipment manufacturers, existing players searching for expansion opportunities, new players searching possibilities and other stakeholders to align their market centric strategies according to the ongoing and expected trends in the future.     

Request Report Sample@ https://www.researchnester.com/sample-request-1033

[mi-researchreports]

The Automotive Diagnostic Tools Market is growing at a CAGR of 5.48% over the next 5 years. Delphi Automotive PLC, Robert Bosch GmbH, Continental AG, Snap-on Incorporated, Denso Corporation are the major companies operating in Automotive Diagnostic Tools Market.

[diagtools]

the Launch X431 Pad VII

The Launch X431 Pad VII is the latest addition to the Launch X431 series of diagnostic tools. It is designed to be a high-end, comprehensive, and intelligent diagnostic tool that can help mechanics, technicians, and DIY enthusiasts diagnose and repair a wide range of vehicles. With advanced features such as a large 13.3-inch touchscreen, powerful hardware, and an intuitive user interface, the Launch X431 Pad VII is a must-have tool for anyone who works with cars. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Launch X431 Pad VII and explore its features, benefits, and drawbacks.

Overview of the Launch X431 Pad VII

The Launch X431 Pad VII is a tablet-style diagnostic tool that is designed to be used on a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. It runs on the Android operating system and features a large 13.3-inch touchscreen display that makes it easy to navigate and use. The tool comes with a powerful quad-core processor, 32GB of internal storage, and 3GB of RAM, making it one of the most powerful diagnostic tools on the market.

Features of the Launch X431 Pad VII

The Launch X431 Pad VII comes with a wide range of features that make it an essential tool for anyone who works on vehicles. Some of the key features of the Launch X431 Pad VII include:

2.1. Wide Vehicle Coverage

The Launch X431 Pad VII is designed to work on a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. It supports over 100 vehicle makes and models, including domestic, Asian, and European vehicles.

2.2. Advanced Diagnostic Functions

The Launch X431 Pad VII comes with advanced diagnostic functions that make it easy to diagnose and repair a wide range of vehicle problems. It supports functions such as read and clear codes, live data streaming, actuation tests, special functions, and more.

2.3. Wireless Connectivity

The Launch X431 Pad VII comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to connect to the internet and other devices. This feature allows users to download updates and software directly to the tool, making it easy to stay up-to-date with the latest vehicle models and diagnostic techniques.

2.4. Large Touchscreen Display

The Launch X431 Pad VII features a large 13.3-inch touchscreen display that makes it easy to navigate and use. The display is highly responsive, allowing users to quickly and easily access the various functions and features of the tool.

2.5. Intuitive User Interface

The Launch X431 Pad VII comes with an intuitive user interface that is easy to use and navigate. The interface is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for mechanics, technicians, and DIY enthusiasts to diagnose and repair vehicles.

2.6. Powerful Hardware

The Launch X431 Pad VII comes with a powerful quad-core processor, 32GB of internal storage, and 3GB of RAM, making it one of the most powerful diagnostic tools on the market. The powerful hardware ensures that the tool runs smoothly and efficiently, even when performing complex diagnostic functions.

Benefits of the Launch X431 Pad VII

The Launch X431 Pad VII offers a wide range of benefits to users, including:

3.1. Comprehensive Diagnostics

The Launch X431 Pad VII offers comprehensive diagnostics that can help users diagnose and repair a wide range of vehicle problems. The tool supports advanced diagnostic functions such as read and clear codes, live data streaming, actuation tests, and special functions, making it easy to diagnose and repair complex vehicle issues.

3.2. Wide Vehicle Coverage

The Launch X431 Pad VII supports over 100 vehicle makes and models, including domestic, Asian, and European vehicles. This wide vehicle coverage ensures that users can diagnose and repair vehicles from a wide range of manufacturers, making it a versatile tool for any mechanic, technician, or DIY enthusiast.

3.3. User-Friendly Interface

The Launch X431 Pad VII features an intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate and use. The interface is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for users of all levels of experience to diagnose and repair vehicles.

3.4. Wireless Connectivity

The built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity of the Launch X431 Pad VII make it easy to connect to the internet and other devices. This feature allows users to download updates and software directly to the tool, making it easy to stay up-to-date with the latest vehicle models and diagnostic techniques.

3.5. Large Touchscreen Display

The Launch X431 Pad VII features a large 13.3-inch touchscreen display that makes it easy to navigate and use. The display is highly responsive, allowing users to quickly and easily access the various functions and features of the tool.

3.6. Powerful Hardware

The Launch X431 Pad VII comes with a powerful quad-core processor, 32GB of internal storage, and 3GB of RAM, making it one of the most powerful diagnostic tools on the market. The powerful hardware ensures that the tool runs smoothly and efficiently, even when performing complex diagnostic functions.

Drawbacks of the Launch X431 Pad VII

While the Launch X431 Pad VII offers a wide range of benefits, it also has a few drawbacks that users should be aware of:

4.1. Price

The Launch X431 Pad VII is a high-end diagnostic tool that comes with a high price tag. While it offers a wide range of advanced features and functions, it may not be the best option for those on a tight budget.

4.2. Size and Weight

The Launch X431 Pad VII is a large and heavy diagnostic tool, which may make it difficult to use in some situations. While the large touchscreen display is a benefit, it also adds to the overall size and weight of the tool, making it less portable than some other diagnostic tools on the market.

Conclusion

The Launch X431 Pad VII is a high-end, comprehensive, and intelligent diagnostic tool that offers a wide range of advanced features and functions. With its powerful hardware, large touchscreen display, and intuitive user interface, it is an essential tool for anyone who works with vehicles. While it does come with a high price tag and is quite large and heavy, the benefits it offers make it well worth the investment for anyone who wants a top-of-the-line diagnostic tool.

FAQs:

What is the difference between the Launch X431 Pad VII and other Launch X431 diagnostic tools?

The Launch X431 Pad VII is the latest addition to the Launch X431 series of diagnostic tools, and it comes with a wide range of advanced features and functions that are not available on other Launch X431 diagnostic tools.

Can the Launch X431 Pad VII be used on all types of vehicles?

Yes, the Launch X431 Pad VII is designed to be used on a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. It supports over 100 vehicle makes and models, including domestic, Asian, and European vehicles.

Is the Launch X431 Pad VII user-friendly?

Yes, the Launch X431 Pad VII features an intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate and use. The interface is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for users of all levels of experience to diagnose and repair vehicles.

Is the Launch X431 Pad VII portable?

The Launch X431 Pad VII is quite large and heavy, which may make it difficult to use in some situations. While it is not the most portable diagnostic tool on the market,

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Cars bricked by bankrupt EV company will stay bricked

On OCTOBER 23 at 7PM, I'll be in DECATUR, presenting my novel THE BEZZLE at EAGLE EYE BOOKS.

There are few phrases in the modern lexicon more accursed than "software-based car," and yet, this is how the failed EV maker Fisker billed its products, which retailed for $40-70k in the few short years before the company collapsed, shut down its servers, and degraded all those "software-based cars":

https://insideevs.com/news/723669/fisker-inc-bankruptcy-chapter-11-official/

Fisker billed itself as a "capital light" manufacturer, meaning that it didn't particularly make anything – rather, it "designed" cars that other companies built, allowing Fisker to focus on "experience," which is where the "software-based car" comes in. Virtually every subsystem in a Fisker car needs (or rather, needed) to periodically connect with its servers, either for regular operations or diagnostics and repair, creating frequent problems with brakes, airbags, shifting, battery management, locking and unlocking the doors:

https://www.businessinsider.com/fisker-owners-worry-about-vehicles-working-bankruptcy-2024-4

Since Fisker's bankruptcy, people with even minor problems with their Fisker EVs have found themselves owning expensive, inert lumps of conflict minerals and auto-loan debt; as one Fisker owner described it, "It's literally a lawn ornament right now":

https://www.businessinsider.com/fisker-owners-describe-chaos-to-keep-cars-running-after-bankruptcy-2024-7

This is, in many ways, typical Internet-of-Shit nonsense, but it's compounded by Fisker's capital light, all-outsource model, which led to extremely unreliable vehicles that have been plagued by recalls. The bankrupt company has proposed that vehicle owners should have to pay cash for these recalls, in order to reserve the company's capital for its creditors – a plan that is clearly illegal:

https://www.veritaglobal.net/fisker/document/2411390241007000000000005

This isn't even the first time Fisker has done this! Ten years ago, founder Henrik Fisker started another EV company called Fisker Automotive, which went bankrupt in 2014, leaving the company's "Karma" (no, really) long-range EVs (which were unreliable and prone to bursting into flames) in limbo:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma

Which raises the question: why did investors reward Fisker's initial incompetence by piling in for a second attempt? I think the answer lies in the very factor that has made Fisker's failure so hard on its customers: the "software-based car." Investors love the sound of a "software-based car" because they understand that a gadget that is connected to the cloud is ripe for rent-extraction, because with software comes a bundle of "IP rights" that let the company control its customers, critics and competitors:

https://locusmag.com/2020/09/cory-doctorow-ip/

A "software-based car" gets to mobilize the state to enforce its "IP," which allows it to force its customers to use authorized mechanics (who can, in turn, be price-gouged for licensing and diagnostic tools). "IP" can be used to shut down manufacturers of third party parts. "IP" allows manufacturers to revoke features that came with your car and charge you a monthly subscription fee for them. All sorts of features can be sold as downloadable content, and clawed back when title to the car changes hands, so that the new owners have to buy them again. "Software based cars" are easier to repo, making them perfect for the subprime auto-lending industry. And of course, "software-based cars" can gather much more surveillance data on drivers, which can be sold to sleazy, unregulated data-brokers:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/24/rent-to-pwn/#kitt-is-a-demon

Unsurprisingly, there's a large number of Fisker cars that never sold, which the bankruptcy estate is seeking a buyer for. For a minute there, it looked like they'd found one: American Lease, which was looking to acquire the deadstock Fiskers for use as leased fleet cars. But now that deal seems dead, because no one can figure out how to restart Fisker's servers, and these vehicles are bricks without server access:

https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/08/fisker-bankruptcy-hits-major-speed-bump-as-fleet-sale-is-now-in-question/

It's hard to say why the company's servers are so intransigent, but there's a clue in the chaotic way that the company wound down its affairs. The company's final days sound like a scene from the last days of the German Democratic Republic, with apparats from the failing state charging about in chaos, without any plans for keeping things running:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/07/east-germany-stasi-surveillance-documents/

As it imploded, Fisker cycled through a string of Chief Financial officers, losing track of millions of dollars at a time:

https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/31/fisker-collapse-investigation-ev-ocean-suv-henrik-geeta/

When Fisker's landlord regained possession of its HQ, they found "complete disarray," including improperly stored drums of toxic waste:

https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/05/fiskers-hq-abandoned-in-complete-disarray-with-apparent-hazardous-waste-clay-models-left-behind/

And while Fisker's implosion is particularly messy, the fact that it landed in bankruptcy is entirely unexceptional. Most businesses fail (eventually) and most startups fail (quickly). Despite this, businesses – even those in heavily regulated sectors like automotive regulation – are allowed to design products and undertake operations that are not designed to outlast the (likely short-lived) company.

After the 2008 crisis and the collapse of financial institutions like Lehman Brothers, finance regulators acquired a renewed interest in succession planning. Lehman consisted of over 6,000 separate corporate entities, each one representing a bid to evade regulation and/or taxation. Unwinding that complex hairball took years, during which the entities that entrusted Lehman with their funds – pensions, charitable institutions, etc – were unable to access their money.

To avoid repeats of this catastrophe, regulators began to insist that banks produce "living wills" – plans for unwinding their affairs in the event of catastrophe. They had to undertake "stress tests" that simulated a wind-down as planned, both to make sure the plan worked and to estimate how long it would take to execute. Then banks were required to set aside sufficient capital to keep the lights on while the plan ran on.

This regulation has been indifferently enforced. Banks spent the intervening years insisting that they are capable of prudently self-regulating without all this interference, something they continue to insist upon even after the Silicon Valley Bank collapse:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/15/mon-dieu-les-guillotines/#ceci-nes-pas-une-bailout

The fact that the rules haven't been enforced tells us nothing about whether the rules would work if they were enforced. A string of high-profile bankruptcies of companies who had no succession plans and whose collapse stands to materially harm large numbers of people tells us that something has to be done about this.

Take 23andme, the creepy genomics company that enticed millions of people into sending them their genetic material (even if you aren't a 23andme customer, they probably have most of your genome, thanks to relatives who sent in cheek-swabs). 23andme is now bankrupt, and its bankruptcy estate is shopping for a buyer who'd like to commercially exploit all that juicy genetic data, even if that is to the detriment of the people it came from. What's more, the bankruptcy estate is refusing to destroy samples from people who want to opt out of this future sale:

https://bourniquelaw.com/2024/10/09/data-23-and-me/

On a smaller scale, there's Juicebox, a company that makes EV chargers, who are exiting the North American market and shutting down their servers, killing the advanced functionality that customers paid extra for when they chose a Juicebox product:

https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/2/24260316/juicebox-ev-chargers-enel-x-way-closing-discontinued-app

I actually owned a Juicebox, which ultimately caught fire and melted down, either due to a manufacturing defect or to the criminal ineptitude of Treeium, the worst solar installers in Southern California (or both):

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/27/here-comes-the-sun-king/#sign-here

Projects like Juice Rescue are trying to reverse-engineer the Juicebox server infrastructure and build an alternative:

https://juice-rescue.org/

This would be much simpler if Juicebox's manufacturer, Enel X Way, had been required to file a living will that explained how its customers would go on enjoying their property when and if the company discontinued support, exited the market, or went bankrupt.

That might be a big lift for every little tech startup (though it would be superior than trying to get justice after the company fails). But in regulated sectors like automotive manufacture or genomic analysis, a regulation that says, "Either design your products and services to fail safely, or escrow enough cash to keep the lights on for the duration of an orderly wind-down in the event that you shut down" would be perfectly reasonable. Companies could make "software based cars" but the more "software based" the car was, the more funds they'd have to escrow to transition their servers when they shut down (and the lest capital they'd have to build the car).

Such a rule should be in addition to more muscular rules simply banning the most abusive practices, like the Oregon state Right to Repair bill, which bans the "parts pairing" that makes repairing a Fisker car so onerous:

https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/27/24097042/right-to-repair-law-oregon-sb1596-parts-pairing-tina-kotek-signed

Or the Illinois state biometric privacy law, which strictly limits the use of the kind of genomic data that 23andme collected:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3004

Failing to take action on these abusive practices is dangerous – and not just to the people who get burned by them. Every time a genomics research project turns into a privacy nightmare, that salts the earth for future medical research, making it much harder to conduct population-scale research, which can be carried out in privacy-preserving ways, and which pays huge scientific dividends that we all benefit from:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/01/the-palantir-will-see-you-now/#public-private-partnership

Just as Fisker's outrageous ripoff will make life harder for good cleantech companies:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/26/unplanned-obsolescence/#better-micetraps

If people are convinced that new, climate-friendly tech is a cesspool of grift and extraction, it will punish those firms that are making routine, breathtaking, exciting (and extremely vital) breakthroughs:

https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/10/08/norways-national-football-stadium-has-the-worlds-largest-vertical-solar-roof-how-does-it-w

Tor Books as just published two new, free LITTLE BROTHER stories: VIGILANT, about creepy surveillance in distance education; and SPILL, about oil pipelines and indigenous landback.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/10/software-based-car/#based

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