There is an annoying trend that is segment agnostic: charging recurring fees for basic car features.
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/tesla-prepares-to-turn-the-heated-front-seats-and-wipers-into-paid-features-224519.html
Tesla is paving the way for introducing subscription heated seats and wipers.
I hate it but am used to it now. I have XM radio on two of my cars because I'm lazy and don't have any music playlists downloaded on my phone.
It's a misleading heading though. It's not for wipers. It's for heated wipers. Making wipers subscription based wouldn't pass govt regulatory bodies.
I can see there being a fee for something like XM radio because you are tapping into a feed from outside your vehicle. For heated seats and heated wipers they have already charged you for all of that hardware and now want to charge you to use it. Maybe in the future the car manufacturers will charge you a fee every time you want to drive your car.
"Dad, did you remember to renew the airbag subscription on Mom's BMW?"
"Oh shit no, why?"
"She's dead."
Quote from: RomanChariot on November 16, 2023, 02:39:54 PMI can see there being a fee for something like XM radio because you are tapping into a feed from outside your vehicle. For heated seats and heated wipers they have already charged you for all of that hardware and now want to charge you to use it. Maybe in the future the car manufacturers will charge you a fee every time you want to drive your car.
Maybe economy cars will become like RyanAir flights.
Quote from: Morris Minor on November 16, 2023, 03:27:17 PM"Dad, did you remember to renew the airbag subscription on Mom's BMW?"
"Oh shit no, why?"
"She's dead."
:)
In the future, you won't need a key to get into your car, you'll just have to swipe your credit card.
Quote from: Laconian on November 16, 2023, 12:11:52 PMThere is an annoying trend that is segment agnostic: charging recurring fees for basic car features.
Should be 100% illegal. This subscription bullshit is appalling.