New Energy Vehicles gaining traction in SA
On World EV Day, a survey of 6 700 South African car owners highlights growing interest in Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs) and Electric Vehicles (EVs).
- New Energy Vehicles
- 10 September 2025
The US Patent Office last week published an application for a patent by Ford innocuously titled “Systems and Methods to Repossess a Vehicle”, which comes straight out of a dystopian sci-fi movie.
The application entails systems in terms of which vehicles, for all practical purposes, would be able to repossess themselves should their owners renege on payments.
According to the document, vehicles’ built-in data connections could be used to disable “a functionality of one or more components of the vehicle” in case of missed payments. This could take different forms from deactivating features like “cruise control, automated window controls, automated seat controls and some components of the infotainment system (radio Global Positioning System (GPS), MP3 player, etc)” to functions such as “the air-conditioning system, a remote key fob and an automated door lock/unlock system” and other incessant irritating warnings.
The most disconcerting feature of the system though, in the case of self-autonomous vehicles, is that with Ford's system, your car could drive itself away to a different location without even informing you.
It is unclear whether Ford is planning to follow through on the patents since it is currently not actively pursuing self-drive technology.
Other auto manufacturers already feature similar technology in their vehicles.
On World EV Day, a survey of 6 700 South African car owners highlights growing interest in Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs) and Electric Vehicles (EVs).
The European automotive industry stands at a critical juncture. Fresh results from the EY research firm reveal that electric vehicles will capture over half of new light vehicle sales across Europe by 2032, marking a seismic shift in consumer preferences and industrial priorities.
In a significant move to combat the automotive industry's mounting cybersecurity challenges, Stellantis has announced its membership of GlobalPlatform, a collaborative initiative focused on standardising security protocols for software-defined vehicles.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
In a significant move to combat the automotive industry's mounting cybersecurity challenges, Stellantis has announced its membership of GlobalPlatform, a collaborative initiative focused on standardising security protocols for software-defined vehicles.
Celebrating the past, present and future of Polo, the Volkswagen brand released the spectacular “50 Years of Polo: Project Drift” video on its social media channels.
General Motors has patented innovative technology that could transform how families approach one of their most difficult conversations: when an elderly relative should stop driving.