Originally published at: https://www.pakwheels.com/blog/subscription-based-car-features-is-it-worth-the-cost/
Technological advancement has played a huge role in the development of the auto industry worldwide. While these technological features have made life easier for a lot, others have shown concern about the increasing complexity and cost. This variety in features has also made it difficult for consumers to choose a car for themselves. For example, if you want a manual gearbox, it’s usually only available in the base trim. This means you’ll have to compromise on other features. Similarly, if you want a leather interior, it’s usually only available in top variants, which ultimately means a higher cost.
One solution to this problem is subscription-based features in cars. For example, if you need heated seats, you can pay for the feature during winter and save costs for the rest of the year. BMW is one of the pioneers in launching such features, and its latest models in the USA and Australia have several subscription-based features. The company offers a range of options that can be purchased monthly or annually, including traffic camera alerts and software upgrades. Even though these features have been elaborately revealed in Australia, in the USA, the information regarding subscriptions is only available in the car menu or a companion app. According to BMW USA, the availability of these upgrades depends on factors such as the model year, equipment level, and software version of the vehicle. As a result, not all options may be available to all owners.
BMW's Subscription-based Features
In 2019, BMW made headlines when it announced plans to charge customers $80 per year for wireless Apple CarPlay. This decision was met with significant backlash from the public, and BMW ultimately reversed its decision and offered the technology for free. This incident raises questions about the future of subscription-based features in the automotive industry. If consumers perceive these subscriptions as being unnecessarily burdensome, will they push back against automakers like BMW and demand more traditional options? Alternatively, will they choose to do business with companies that sell features outright? There are no easy answers to these questions, but they are certainly worth considering as the industry evolves.
There is an ongoing debate about the benefits and drawbacks of subscription-based technology in cars. On the one hand, offering customers the option to pay for the specific features they want and need is a positive development. However, it is worth considering whether an endless stream of subscriptions is really the best solution for consumers.
What are your thoughts on these subscription-based features? Share in the comments below!
