I can
somewhat understand the logic of charging me a recurring fee for a service that costs the provider a recurring cost, gets regular improvements, and where data is maintained. TV/sat radio? Ok (not that I would buy that). Remote tracking / start? Why not. Internet access in the car? Sure. Satellite maps with updates? Maybe. I would hope that given how much you charge me for the product, these come included, but MRR right?
But the idea of charging a recurring fee for something that's already in the car? Heated seats? Remote start with a fob? That's blackmail-powered greed. As far as I see it, that's the manufacturer's version of protection racket. If you stop paying them, then they're remotely breaking your car. Just because they planted a mole in it. Just because they can.
This is so f-ed up beyond grasp.
The good thing is that they have the right lobbies, so that won't ever be changed by customer protection.
I wasn't surprised that BMW, Tesla or Ford would do something like that. But for whatever stupid reason, Toyota is a disappointment, because I thought they would be part of a few manufacturers not playing that game
But the idea of charging a recurring fee for something that's already in the car? Heated seats? Remote start with a fob? That's blackmail-powered greed. As far as I see it, that's the manufacturer's version of protection racket. If you stop paying them, then they're remotely breaking your car. Just because they planted a mole in it. Just because they can. This is so f-ed up beyond grasp.
The good thing is that they have the right lobbies, so that won't ever be changed by customer protection.
I wasn't surprised that BMW, Tesla or Ford would do something like that. But for whatever stupid reason, Toyota is a disappointment, because I thought they would be part of a few manufacturers not playing that game