Topic: Onstar

General Motors CFO Paul Jacobson announced a plan to generate $25 billion in annual revenue by 2030 through digital subscriptions and services for electric vehicles. This shift moves the profit center from the initial sale to ongoing software updates and "over-the-air" features. Concerns are raised about the environmental and human cost of mining minerals like cobalt in Africa for EV batteries.

Volvo is introducing in-car cameras to monitor driver distraction and intoxication, with the ability to intervene and stop the vehicle. The European Union is considering making such technology mandatory in all new cars. The hosts warn that these safety features will eventually be used for remote repossession for missed lease payments or to issue automatic speeding tickets via "black box" data.

A listener and Chrysler owner disputes the viral story of a Jeep being remotely hacked, arguing that the Uconnect system lacks the physical actuators to control steering or transmission. The host's attempts to contact Chrysler's PR department for clarification were met with silence, suggesting the company may be avoiding the topic.

Insurance providers in the Netherlands are introducing GPS "black boxes" that monitor driving habits in exchange for lower rates. The hosts warn that this technology, already present in many U.S. vehicles for airbag deployment, will eventually be used to deny insurance claims based on radio volume or other minor driving behaviors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing mandatory black boxes in all vehicles to record data during accidents. The hosts argue these devices will eventually be used for law enforcement surveillance and remote vehicle shutdown. They compare the technology to OnStar, noting that the primary goal is control rather than safety or theft prevention.