Update Concerns

[TonyR0206]

I’ve heard that in the near future, on new vehicles, that Ford will be using a subscription model for options installed in vehicles; Charging a monthly fee for the use of items like heated seats, the ability to use CarPlay, ventilated seats, etc. I’m concerned that that may trickle down to “older” vehicles like ours? I have my Expedition set up to do automatic updates. I’m afraid that one day I’ll start my Expedition, and everything I’ve been using will now require a subscription. I’m thinking I can’t be the only person concerned with this.

 

[DieselMonk]

Some things are already subscription based like connected navigation or connected other crap, blue cruise etc. in Sync 4A.
If you are really concerned about it, turn the data and all the connectivity like wifi, Bluetooth, cell, hotspot etc off. No updates, no surprises. End of story. If that isn’t enough, cut the wire to the cell and gps antenna. You just have to look at this perspective with a different pair of glasses. Principle is simple. No communication: no updates, no activating or deactivating, no tracking or anything else in that regard. End of story.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I’ve heard that in the near future, on new vehicles, that Ford will be using a subscription model for options installed in vehicles; Charging a monthly fee for the use of items like heated seats, the ability to use CarPlay, ventilated seats, etc. I’m concerned that that may trickle down to “older” vehicles like ours? I have my Expedition set up to do automatic updates. I’m afraid that one day I’ll start my Expedition, and everything I’ve been using will now require a subscription. I’m thinking I can’t be the only person concerned with this.

You should determine if the sources that you “heard” your information from have any basis in fact.

Where did you hear this information?

 

[HILLY]

Legit concerns.

Although every manufacturer will have their way of approaching this and for what features. You may either have the choice of purchasing up front, after the fact, or pay as you go. This can be done either from the app or from the infotainment. An example I’ve seen from Ford is the Blue Cruise feature.

BMW has done this with mixed results. Such an example a few years ago they dabbled with trying to charge for CarPlay and were met with huge customer backlash. They quickly backpedaled on this.

I have also seen the heated seat example overseas. Europeans do not necessarily buy cars "packaged" as we do, but option cars more a la carte. Pay and activate for the months you need it, the feature is off when you don't. To us Americans this is a crazy notion.

For economies of scale in this subscription scenario, the cars are all built the same way, but with options deactivated until customer decides to pay. Once you pay a lifetime fee on a feature, it should be on for good and never shut off. Also good for resale as one owner who didn't want or couldn't afford something can sell to the next person who can activate if desired.

 

[jjscsix]

I have seen the BMW “threat” as well. Mostly it has been the manufacturers floating the idea out there looking to see the reaction. I understand it on features that may require technology updates, but not on things like heated seats where the hardware is already on the vehicle and there are no ongoing costs to the manufacturers to make updates.

 

[dtv_engineer]

We are already used to subscription models. We see that in streaming services, software packages, and car leasing. This is the car manufacturers trying to even out their revenue so the boom and bust years are less impactful.