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> Ford has plans to differentiate itself and boost profits by selling software services, including driver-assist and autonomous features that could be rented fo
by version_five 4y ago
> Ford has plans to differentiate itself and boost profits by selling software services, including driver-assist and autonomous features that could be rented for a time period or by the mile, Farley said.
I figured I'd find something like this buried in there. I expect the "price war" will really just be taking a page from the phone and airline businesses and combining vendor lock in and charges for absolutely everything to make advertised prices look way lower than what customers end up paying.
Electric cars clearly have real potential, but I think the manufacturers are looking at them as a way to redesign the business from the ground up to gouge consumers. Versus the current internal combustion market with aftermarket parts and independent garages and no ongoing fees
- jamesliudotcc 4y agoNo ongoing fees. Hmm. Just because the auto manufacturers do not capture all of them does not mean that they do not exist.
- version_five 4y agoThe fact that automakers don't capture them is the key and was exactly my point. Current or past generation cars are comparatively "open" with lots of repair and maintenance options, which gives owners the benefit of choice and competition. Closed business models that rely on lock-in will be able to pump more money out of the consumer while removing options from them.
- derevaunseraun 4y ago> Current or past generation cars are comparatively "open" with lots of repair and maintenance options, which gives owners the benefit of choice and competition. Not necessarily. For example BMW and Mercedes will design their vehicles to make them difficult to work on, and often when a specific part breaks you need a proprietary piece from the OEM. Idk if companies like Ford and Toyota use the same tactics.