General Motors stirs the waters, trading Apple CarPlay for Google's integrated infotainment system, leaving dealers and customers in a quandary.
@boem@lemmy.world
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191Y

The real reason seems to be clear: data and revenue. Like other automakers, GM is looking to monetize data-driven add-on features and services. They’re hoping to achieve profit margins of over 20% on “new businesses” by 2030, and the all-new subscription-based infotainment system will play the central part.

This is a familiar approach; every automaker now wants to be the next Netflix of the auto industry, where your car becomes another subscription service.

GM’s competitor, Ford, is also vying for a slice of this pie, aiming to create a “software-defined vehicle” with over-the-air updates and paid features.

Oh gawd. I knew things were heading in this direction, but this sounds just horrible. Walled gardens everywhere.

@SoulSkill@lemmy.world
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11Y

This business idea / revenue model will get people killed.

This goes a lot deeper than outsiders of this industry can simply imagine.

I think freemium car features are coming. Such as, car comes with all luxury features but have to subscribe to access them. Heated seats, dashcam, power doors…you better have that premium subscription or they don’t work.

Yeah but someday they’ll put them in real cars. BMWs are for assholes

@NOT_RICK@lemmy.world
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41Y

MBAs seem like the most unoriginal people on the planet. Always chasing whatever the latest trend is

@impiri@lemmy.world
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291Y

This is handy for me because it’s one fewer brand of EVs I’ll need to research and compare

@TempleSquare@lemmy.ml
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31Y

No kidding. I remember when I bought my new car in 2011, having Bluetooth was like #3 on my list.

In the end, I bought a great Honda without it. But that was only after I figured out a way to add it aftermarket.

For any car buyer under the age of 50, AA/ACP will be a top item. But we live in a weird world where most of the customers are under 60, but we’re broke. So everything is marketed to Boomers, even though they are a minority.

Weird times.

@jagger1973@lemmy.world
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61Y

They wouldn’t be doing it if it won’t work. Let’s face it, the vast majority of consumers will eat this shit up and not bat an eye at the concept. I’ve been earth long enough to watch products go from ‘buy it for life’ to today’s shit deal of being nickle and dimed for everything. The car subscription model will work and all car manufactures will eventually go the same route; the savvy consumer will eventually no longer have the option to avoid this shit.

@ozskeptic@lemmy.world
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1Y

I’m not sure. Toyota was famously anti CarPlay and Android Auto, until they reversed the decision a few years back.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/15/16892804/toyota-lexus-apple-carplay-2019-models-avalon-naims-detroit-2018

I’ve not aware that they ever released a reason, but I was talking to a dealer slightly before this, when I had my 86 in for a fix due to a recall. He asked if I was looking a new model and I told him that CarPlay/Android Auto would a requirement for any new purchase. The dealership was well aware they were losing customers, and I’m sure pressure went up the line to the factory.

@Tandybaum@lemmy.world
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41Y

I refuse to buy a car that doesn’t have CarPlay. Totally up to the manufacturers it’s really worth losing customers over this.

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