Tough economic times mean a growing number of vehicle owners worldwide are falling behind on their payments, and cases of bank repossessed cars are becoming more and more common. Even A-list celebrities like Paris Hilton have felt the financial pinch and had their luxury cars repossessed!
In many instances, these cars will be auctioned off at competitive prices – South African car dealers will know that a repossessed car auction can offer a golden opportunity to get your hands on your dream ride for less. Last month, an auction with a difference made headlines, when a repossessed BMW, formerly owned by infamous ex-chairman of Anglo Irish Bank Seán FitzPatrick, went on the market. The competitive online auction sold FitzPatrick’s repossessed car for €1,243.56 – but instead of driving off in the black BMW 3-series, the winner was entitled to push the button that would have the vehicle crushed! All proceeds of this rather expensive anger management exercise went to charity.
While the auction of Mr FitzPatrick’s car generated a good deal of public interest, the idea of the vehicle repossession process as entertainment certainly seems like a far stretch; however, a US cable channel is planning to bring this unlikely concept to the small screen with a reality quiz show titled Repo Games.
Repo Games will follow the escapades of two real-life repo men who give car owners the opportunity to win back their soon-to-be-repossessed vehicles by answering a series of trivia questions. Those who answer 3 out of 5 questions correctly will be jumping for joy as their cars are paid off on the spot; the less fortunate contestants will see their cars repossessed and towed away.
The Repo Games show will include debtors from all walks of life and economic backgrounds – although it’s doubtful that Paris will make an appearance! The 20-episode reality show, from the producers of hit reality series Jersey Shore, will air on Spike TV, a division of MTV Networks. Who would have thought repossessed cars would make it onto reality TV? Do you think Repo Games will be a hit, or are the producers motoring down the wrong track?