Key Point Summary – Rival Copies Hertz

• Sixt launches AI damage scanner “Car Gate” in US locations.
• Customers billed hundreds for pre-existing damage.
• Hertz already faced backlash for similar tech since April.
• Experts slam scanner use as unethical and profit-driven.
• Fears grow that Avis and Enterprise will adopt scanners too.

Sixt, the luxury rental car brand with 100 US locations, has joined Hertz in using AI-powered damage scanners — and customers are fuming. The German-owned firm’s “Car Gate” system, now active at major airports, scans vehicles at pickup and return. It flags even the faintest mark.

One renter told The Drive that after returning a Mazda CX-50 at Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport, Sixt demanded $605.82 for wheel damage. Photos later proved the damage existed before his rental began. He fought the claim and won.

Hertz’s Aggressive AI Push

Hertz introduced laser inspection in April with startup UVeye. Since then, drivers say they’ve faced massive bills for almost invisible spots. One got a $285 fine for two tiny marks. Another saw a $935 bill for faint blemishes.

Sixt uses human reviewers to check scanner results. Hertz often sends disputes to a chatbot instead. Customers claim the bot offers lower fees if they pay instantly but gives no real chance to speak with a person. Retail expert Neil Saunders called it “a money grab” and “poor customer service.”

Tech Firms Defend the Machines

Scanner makers say their tools improve safety by spotting worn tires, hidden cracks, and undercarriage damage. Sixt apologized for the Atlanta incident, calling it a rare case. The firm said it values transparency but dodged questions about whether fees fund repairs or profits.

Hertz has also refused to say how it uses the collected money. DailyMail.com asked six times since July 2 without getting a straight answer.

Rivals Watching Closely

Avis says most damage checks stay “human-led” but won’t explain what that means. Enterprise claims it avoids scanners in the US, though some European airports already use them.

Technology expert Dr. Ramnath Chellappa says the AI rollout lacks ethics. “AI should cut human effort and reduce costs,” he said. “It should not trigger unfair charges.”

With more rental giants eyeing this tech, renters could soon face laser inspections everywhere — and for many, the daily rate might be the smallest part of the bill.