The luxury car company will charge money for using the seat heaters!
BMW has decided to upset its customers – and by and large, the hardware that comes with its vehicles as a basic accessory will now cost money, for a monthly fee, “Boycott!”, Veteran drivers call
Have you paid a subscription fee recently?
Like $ 10 a month to watch Netflix shows or $ 15 a month for special shipping with Amazon Prime.
The subscription culture is everywhere around us and is now being adopted by the automotive industry.
BMW has introduced the ConnectedDrive store to car owners who will have to download various apps to upgrade features in their vehicle, similar to how Tesla offers upgraded autopilot subscriptions for a high monthly fee.
However, BMW does not offer customers any advanced driving system that can automatically navigate around a parking lot at the touch of a button via a smartphone app, or transport passengers in the metro area without hands. The German carmaker has started selling monthly subscriptions for “high light assistant” and “front seat heating” – basic features for all the company’s vehicles, and this is very annoying for drivers.
BMW has adopted the monetization that will require drivers about $ 18 a month for heated seats or their use “unlimited” for $ 415 a year.
“Front seat heating does nice and comfortable things in no time,” reads the ConnectedDrive store, “Post-purchase activation is quick and easy.”
The Verge website states that “BMW has started incorporating paid features since 2020, and heated seat appointments are now available in digital stores in countries such as the UK, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa. However, this is not yet an option in the US”.
“One of the most unusual items found in the ConnectedDrive store is called IconicSounds Sport.
This is no less than software that makes fake engine noises through the car’s speakers, in case you are willing to pay $ 138 to get the feature permanently, according to the Motor1 website.
The world of car subscriptions is already here, and drivers are furious that they are paying for hardware they cannot use.
And as you know, there is nothing revolutionary about heated seats, unlike Tesla’s upgraded autopilot for $ 200 a month.
“Don’t buy the heated seat subscription, or anything like that,” one Redditor remarked.
“The hardware is in your car and you’ve already paid! And another subscription to it is nonsense. Do not agree with that, people, please,” the angry blogger concluded.
It will soon be seen that drivers will also be bombarded one day with roadside advertisements on their information and entertainment display inside the vehicle. At least according to a new patent that Ford will soon reveal.
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