« Talk About Taking the Super Bowl Siriusly |
Main
| Ford Recalls Focus with Rear Door Problems, Chrysler Recalls Some Durangos »
February 6, 2005
We're in the Age of the High-Tech Lemon
This NYT article includes an estimate that high-tech electronic and software problems may be the root of a third of all warranty claims.
Besides a couple horror stories about electronics just bugging out -- and then unbugging themselves so techs can't find them -- there's also speculation that what modern cars need is a master operating system that makes sure all the software code works together.
IBM claims to be getting into that new tech space -- let's just hope they don't use Microsoft.
A few months back a Volvo dealer told me that nearly half of all repairs on late model vehicles involve a download -- for him, from Sweden. This brings around the discussion about training today's auto technicians. Again, this dealer told me they basically have to be part computer experts and part old-school mechanics.
Just by coincidence, the NY State finals for the National Automotive Technology Competition are being held on Feb. 8. The competition requires the teams of students to debug the rigged flaws in their vehicles, many of which will be electronics-based.
The winners of the NY round will compete against other state finalists at the New York Auto Show, March 29 and 30. And these kids are motivated by more than pride -- the prizes amount to $3 million in prizes, scholarships and two new Pontiac Vibes.
Posted by Frank at February 6, 2005 1:20 PM | Filed under Auto News