Well, if I were a GM exec, I'd try to get the same stuff on my cars to nip these things in the bud. In fact, I'd bet most execs are looking to do just that. The tech can be used on all cars and it makes sense to use it on all cars. At least, from the shareholder's side. What then? Do I not get to own a car? A 'then move to another country' argument is shallow. As consumers, we still have rights after we buy anything.
> if I were a GM exec, I'd try to get the same stuff on my cars to nip these things in the bud
If that were true, GM and all the other manufacturers would already be doing it. The tech Tesla is using for this is not new.
The main reason other car manufacturers don't do it is probably very simple: cost. You have to spend the money for the extra sensors in each vehicle, plus whatever hardware is storing the data and/or transmitting it to Tesla, plus you have to hire and train your own technicians to handle the data and interact with customers (other car manufacturers have their dealers do that, but dealers aren't interested in the kind of data Tesla is collecting).
Another possible reason is that other car manufacturers don't have enough of a problem with lemon law suits to make it worth using this kind of tech on their cars. I'd be interested to see data on that if anyone has any.
> What then? Do I not get to own a car?
If it ever gets to the point where every single car manufacturer is doing this, then yes, that would be your only option if you absolutely refuse to deal with it. (Unless you wanted to start your own car company.)
> As consumers, we still have rights after we buy anything.
But you don't have the right to force someone to sell you their product on your terms instead of theirs. Tesla is completely up front about what they are doing; buyers sign a long agreement that spells all this out, and if they don't like it, they are free not to buy.
You could try challenging the agreement in court, but I'm not sure on what grounds you would do that.
I don't think the reasoning behind the logging is really to prevent/provide evidence for lawsuits. I think it's more a case of log all the things so we can see what's relevant later and can use it to ensure the car stays working as long as possible. "The unreasonable effectiveness of data" has definitely permeated through to engineering and I'd just say they're good engineers that want good logs, with protection from litigation as a happy bones. That is my opinion though.