Elon Musk has taken steps to curb vandalism against Tesla vehicles by enabling Sentry Mode on all showroom cars. The feature uses cameras and sensors to monitor surroundings, detect threats, and initiate responses such as pulsing headlights and an alarm. However, experts warn that this may not be enough to stop determined vandals.
Sentry Mode has been deployed globally, including in the US and internationally, with reports of vandalism also emerging in Canada. Musk has confirmed the expansion of security measures around Tesla inventories but faces a challenge in addressing potential loopholes.
The new feature uses battery power, requiring a vehicle to be charged at least 20% to activate, which may give perpetrators an opportunity to evade its use. Some owners have expressed concerns about being recorded while driving and have called for additional updates, such as an alarm or honking feature.
Tesla’s recent struggles also raise questions about the company’s resilience. In March, Tesla vehicles accounted for 1.4% of all vehicle trade-ins, a record high. The company’s stock has declined over 40% this year, and interest in its brand has reached a three-year low. Despite these challenges, Musk has shown his ability to overcome difficult times, having navigated the company through near-bankruptcy situations twice before.
Musk has proven himself highly motivated, even sleeping under his factory office’s desk for days to demonstrate his commitment during the Model 3 ramp-up in 2017. While Sentry Mode may be a step forward, it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to address the issue of vandalism and help Tesla navigate its current challenges.
Source: https://www.autoblog.com/news/elon-musk-has-a-plan-to-curb-tesla-store-car-vandals-but-theres-a-catch