BMW Is Giving Up on Heated Seat Subscriptions Because People Hated Them::The blowback worked—but subscriptions for software-based new car features will continue, according to a BMW board member.
We need to view this seperate issues:
One is putting all options into a car and only making them available to customers who pay. This somewhat makes sense, and while it is annoying, it might benefit customers and automakers alike.
The other is making a hardware option a subscription. I personally hate that, but it just might make sense. People also rent houses and lease cars, why not add some customisation?
There might be a third question: Why do people even buy Beamers?
I drive a car from 2000, it runs great, no spyware, no features in my car that I can’t use, all I need to is add Bluetooth to the radio and its perfect. I don’t really need a screen in my car to tell me basic information the dash gauges already tell me.
My first car doesn’t even have aux port, so I had to use something similar, but connect to 3.5mm jack instead.
Did cars peak around 2016? That’s when you could get a plug in hybrid, with Bluetooth audio, a rear view camera, but no spyware or mandatory subscriptions. Sure they’d pester you to get SiriusXM but you could just say no.
Cars peaked in 2004 or 2005, most cars since then seem to be user data collection engines with wheels attached.
Peak car was 1990-1994, largely mechanical, little electronics and reliable as hell. My Merc from that time is built like a tank and everything is screwed together, not glued.
So no more seat heating, then?
Just a reminder that if consumers hate it enough, they can have the power to change those decisions. If they or content or “don’t care” they are passively agreeing and allowing it continue. Let your voices be heard, share articles like the Mozilla investigating car companies that collect your sex life and biometrics. Let your representatives know.
The problem is all the other people voting the wrong way with their bigger wallets.
