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According to the GM spokeman:
"Any vehicle or key fob can lose power unexpectedly".
So, saying that there was "possibly inadequate attention to car maintenance" is just an assumption.
From the story, it sounds like the fob AND the car's electrical system stopped working at the same time. If either were working, he could have unlocked the car. So what exactly happened here? The car is 12+ years old. Improper maintenance? When was the last time anyone changed the battery in that key fob? How old was the car battery? Where was the manual?
This was a perfect storm of factors...elderly person, apparently living alone, possibly inadequate attention to car maintenance, federal regulations focused on keeping doors closed in a crash to prevent ejection of occupants, and a hidden emergency release, quite possibly tucked away in the name of child safety.
If the vehicle's electrical system fails, then the key fob isn't going to do anything. Trust me... I'm an engineer
Now I have no idea whether or not GM will be held liable for this. I'm just saying that they sold an obviously unsafe vehicle to people who are in no condition to read an owner's manual and/or figure out some obscure and poorly marked release contraption. When they *easily* could have built a door that could be opened mechanically when the electrical system fails (which is a rather common occurrence on older vehicles).
Looks pretty negligent to me... I won't be shedding any tears for GM here
So you're ok with old, sick, handicapped, etc. people being put in a potentially life-threatening situation so that GM can market a nice, sleek design?
At least you have your priorities in order.
Essentially. But more that you shouldn’t be able to sue over something covered in the owner’s manual because you failed to read it.
According to the GM spokeman:
"Any vehicle or key fob can lose power unexpectedly".
So, saying that there was "possibly inadequate attention to car maintenance" is just an assumption.
That's true. And as a former mechanic and current engineer, I can tell you that losing most or all electrical functions is a pretty common thing for older vehicles. All it takes is a loose ground cable.
It's something that can and should be planned for in the design. GM did in fact plan for it with their mechanical release. They just didn't mark it clearly and make it simple enough for their customers* to use.
*Customers whose demographics are very well known and tracked in this day and age. The *know* that they are selling these Cadillacs to old people.
And even if one has read the manual cover to cover when the car is new, remembering everything one has read at the moment one is in a dire emergency is highly unlikely.
No auto driver or passenger should have to locate and read a manual during a time of emergency.
I dunno, 13 HOURS is a long damn time not to be able to figure this out.
You should know how to operate your car in all conditions as part of being a responsible driver. The fact that some of you are arguing against that proves that this is part of the dumbing down of society, and why we see such a lack of personal responsibility anymore.
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