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I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand the idea of subscriptions for components that are physically present in the car and don't require ongoing cost by the
by bearcobra 4y ago
I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand the idea of subscriptions for components that are physically present in the car and don't require ongoing cost by the manufacturer to support them is annoying.
On the other hand I think that there could be some advantages to that model. The costs of cars seem to going up considerably because of all the advanced features. If it is possible to standardize some of the manufacturing process to reduce cost and control access to items with software that could be a win. It would also be nice to have the ability to try features out in your real live before deciding if you want them. Or it could allow drivers to add features for short periods of time. It might not make sense to buy heated seats if you live in Florida, but are travelling to Colorado for a ski vacation paying $10 to unlock if for a month might an awesome feature.
I think the middle ground would be to require manufacturers to offer a lifetime unlock option for any feature that could be subscribed to without an ongoing maintenance cost.
- neogodless 4y ago> If it is possible to standardize some of the manufacturing process to reduce cost and control access to items with software that could be a win. I think if you believe any savings will end up with consumers and not manufacturers, you'll likely find the manufacturers are happy to prove you wrong.
- anon23anon 4y agoDoes create an interesting problem of if your vehicle is out of warranty and you buy the heated seats package shouldn't they responsible to fix the heated seats if they're not working.
- mission_failed 4y agoI challenge you to find a single example of introducing subscriptions reducing costs
- jasonsb 4y agoDriver assistance systems for example. I don't want to pay for those features, but if I don't get them when I configure the car it's going to be much harder to sell the car a few years later. If those features can be activated later on, I won't lose money when I'll sell my car. So it reduces the initial cost of the car and then I also get a better resale value.
- forthefuture 4y agoIt’s already priced in. You’re just paying more for the features you aren’t using.
- YeBanKo 4y agoYou enable them as an upgrade, for additional fee. Just like you update maps on rarely used in-car navigation system.
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- rconti 4y agoThe law seems to allow software unlocking, just not subscriptions.
- MonkeyMalarky 4y ago>The costs of cars seem to going up considerably because of all the advanced features. Or Maybe they could just not add all those features? Crazy, I know.