Better to leave auto
7 replies (most recent on top)
@2xfi+1hZS5M9X - Ford has a subscription service for Sync navigation maps updates. Five years for $295, one update download per year. Extra cost if you want them to ship you a USB drive with the update.
The only way a significant number of people might pay for some extras is if the vehicle was free or super affordable. Neither of which is true for Ford vehicles.
Well they've got the connected vehicle program for commercial customers, which theoretically seems like something that would be useful. I've not heard much about how it works or a ratio of subscriptions. I'm assuming it's pretty lackluster knowing the way we do things.
I think the hope is with all this "data" focus is to shift vehicles to be like getting a new phone. You buy the base vehicle, then pay for added features that used to come standard. Instead of buying a remote start or heated seats, etc. You'd pay for them monthly. I absolutely loathe this concept. BMW just got chastised for this with heated seats and charging some kind of premium subscription for them. But the thing is, if they're including this stuff but it's just deactivated, someone is going to figure out a way to "jailbreak" the car to activate these features and circumvent the subscription cost. I've not really heard much discussion on preventing software piracy in the space but it's something they really need to think about. Again, I really truly hate this concept but it seems like it's what everything is going to. Gone will be the days of just buying a car, perpetual rentals and paying for every bell and whistle will be the game plan.
- Name one subscription service sold by Ford and it’s annual cost.
- Name one type of data we are selling, who is buying it, and at what cost.
I’ll wait.
Post ID: @1xdq+1hZS5M9X
Respectfully, you couldn't be more wrong. At the forefront of Ford's transformation plan, Ford is to have its own data centers/subscription and software business in-house. Thus keep all profits from those income streams under the Ford umbrella and more specifically Model e. Have you informed yourself with the details of the transformation?
As an OEM, Ford will hold more cards in this space than the companies like you mention.
I don't agree. The actual players are going to be the suppliers such as Nvidia, Qualcomm, Mobileye. And they need the OEM's as their technology outlets to bring their tech to the paying customer. And subscription fees for most things will be relayed right back to them.
OEMs will need to make good metal canisters.
BINGO. Auto is a commodity. Ford, GM, Chrysler don't have sufficient differentiators to stand out of the pack. Only 1 of them will survive the EV ride!