The blowback worked—but subscriptions for software-based new car features will continue, according to a BMW board member.

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.

  • @fubo@lemmy.worldEnglish
    168•1 year ago

    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.

    • @bamboo@lemm.eeEnglish
      47•1 year ago

      I’m not sure I’d agree on no spyware. Systems like OnStar are still tracking locations and are deeply integrated into the car. But at least this is before they subscription-ized basic features.

    • 👍Maximum Derek👍English
      20•1 year ago

      Cars peaked in 2004 or 2005, most cars since then seem to be user data collection engines with wheels attached.

      • @Ton@lemmy.worldEnglish
        5•1 year ago

        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.

        • @bug@lemmy.oneEnglish
          4•1 year ago

          All good until someone smashes into you and you discover how far safety features have come in three decades!

            • @bug@lemmy.oneEnglish
              1•1 year ago

              Assuming you mean that you yourself are a good driver who doesn’t get into crashes, that’s why I said “until someone smashes into you”, as in the crash that is completely out of your control!

              • @Ton@lemmy.worldEnglish
                1•1 year ago

                True, but that you can also largely influence by defensive driving. When I rode 80 tkm a year for 15 years I’ve literally seen everything but was never part of it.

        • 👍Maximum Derek👍English
          2•1 year ago

          The 1990 Honda Civic may be the most reliable car of all time. Sadly it’s also easily stolen with nothing but a screwdriver, but still!

        • @uint8_t@feddit.deEnglish
          2•1 year ago

          early '90s? nah, give me fuel injection, catalytic converter, ABS, and airbags, please

    • @flamingo_pinyata@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      16•1 year ago

      2005 - 2018 - Many decent cars were made in this period. Aside from all the pollution. And emissions fraud.

      It 's the pinnacle of the small SUV fashion (I like them, sue me) but you could still get sedans and station wagons as well. Mechanical controls still ruled, no single touchscreens. Good audio was the norm, rear cameras not so much but you could get one. Small turbocharged diesels have the best fuel economy possible for a pure combustion engine.

      Most importantly no online connection or subscriptions of any kind. I love the idea of electric propulsion. But in the current market it comes with so much undesirable baggage.

      • @mean_bean279@lemmy.worldEnglish
        7•1 year ago

        I think most importantly it was that they often didn’t have an infotainment with everything integrated in it and that regular cars still were mostly using double din head units which are perfect to swap out. It’s a standard that we should have kept but didn’t. ☹️