Posted on 04/19/2025 3:12:25 PM PDT by DFG
Airport car rental return lines are about to get a giant tech upgrade — and its bad news if you're a careless driver.
Hertz, the third-largest car rental company in the US, just announced a partnership with UVeye, an AI startup that runs vehicle inspection systems.
The upgrade — which uses cameras paired to powerful computers — promises to better detect damage incurred during a rental period.
That means dings, scratches, and divots on the car’s exterior are more likely to show up on reports.
Hertz said cars will be scanned twice: once before drivers leave rental lots to ensure the vehicle's quality, and again when the car is returned.
Renters will receive a report of any damages flagged by the system, along with before-and-after photos for added transparency.
Hertz sources tell DailyMail.com that the new system is aimed at improving vehicle safety and maintenance. They say customers won’t be charged for minor damage any more than they are now.
Hertz’s car damage policy excuses driver mistakes like tiny blemishes, but dents bigger than a golf ball — or scratches longer than a credit card — lands drivers in the damage fee danger zone
Still, experts note that while the rules around scratches and dings haven’t changed, they’ll be spotted much more easily.
UVeye said the fast-paced technology will spark a revolution in rental car lots.
'Hertz is setting a new standard for vehicle maintenance and fleet management in the rental industry,' Amir Hever, the CEO and Co-Founder of UVeye, said.
'Our AI-driven inspection systems complement manual checks with consistent, data-backed assessments completed in seconds.'
Previously, the car rental industry relied on physical checks from employees to assess any potential damage.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
AI can be programmed to “forget” previous damage. But the AI will be considered the “last authority” on the matter and there will be no appeal process. Never question AI...
Yet one more reason why we love to drive instead of fly.
I’m old enough to remember “See The USA In Your Chevrolet!”
On our last road trip across the Rockies and The Fruited Plain, we drove our SUV, with brand new tires. The roads are incredible, except when you get near or in a democRAT run area.
I always love noticing absolutely no EVs in areas like the Great Salt Lake Basin. No EVs on the wonderful, long stretches of Hwy 80 and Wyoming. AND, we “charge up” our SUV in about 5 minutes.
It’s a sign of the times. Declines in Americana.
So then what. If there is a new tiny fing from perhaps a tiny pebble hitting the car on the highway does the renters have to pay and if so at what rate? Some of this is just normal wear and tear but will be charged as “damage”.
I'm old enough to remember coming away with Lucille in my merry Oldsmobile.
I want my own copy of the “before” picture to compare with the actual car BEFORE I drive away.
I rent cars four times a month. I started taking pictures after I was accused of putting a dent in the car that I pointed out BEFORE I left the lot. Their word against mine, so I started photographing stuff like that. It got me out of two others issues over the past three years. I won’t stop doing it.
We’ve been using AI in the airline and railroad businesses for decades. They are called airinc and railinc.
Maybe the NFL could use one of these in that sideline tent they go to with a possibly-injured player...
I started taking pictures after I was accused of putting a dent in the car that I pointed out BEFORE I left the lot.
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Same here.... but the problem with the several airport parking lots is that late at night, it is typically way too dark when doing the pickup. What I started doing is writing a note by hand on the contract that it “Was too dark at pickup to do any kind of inspection” and then have whoever was checking me out sign and date it (including the time) before I left the lot. I’ve done that quite a few times and have never had a lot attendant refuse to sign put their signature and the time down.
Herz doesn’t have a stellar record on extra charges. I never rent from them. Enterprise is great.
If the damage requires such high tech gadgetry to detect, it’s nothing substantial. This all sounds like just another scheme to rip off the customers. Just saying.
We will be using snigger car rental company, thank you.
Although there are many car rental brands, there are actually only three major companies. Enterprise owns both National and Alamo. Avis owns Budget, Payless, and Zipcar. Hertz owns Dollar and Thrifty. Together, these three companies account for 95 percent of the domestic car rental industry
https://guardianrentacar.com/3-companies-own-95-of-car-rental-brands/
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I prefer Enterprise also. Above is some info that may be usefull for those choosing a rental company.
That is, when Hertz isn’t falsely arresting people.
https://www.npr.org/2022/12/06/1140998674/hertz-false-accusation-stealing-cars-settlement
Last time I rented a car (Hartford, CT), it stunk of pot smoke.
I made the person note it on the rental contract.
Hertz has a real PR problem on its hands with getting customers arrested for stealing rentals after the customer turned the car in at the correct time and place. The problem is continuing.
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