Carmakers Push Forward With Plans To Make Basic Features Subscription Services, Despite Widespread Backlash::Automakers are increasingly obsessed with turning everything into a subscription service in a bid to boost quarterly returns. We’ve noted how BMW has embraced making heated seats and other features already in your car a subscription service, and Mercedes has been making better gas and EV engine performance something you have to pay extra for — even if…

  • 7112@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Why is everyone on a race to the bottom nowadays? Almost every action a consumer makes is becoming monetized.

    • 0x0@programming.dev
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      1 year ago

      Because once a company sells their soul to shareholders their purpose becomes making money for shareholders at any cost instead of making a great product.

    • wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      1 year ago

      If enough of an industry takes the same customer hostile action at once, customers effectively have no option but to accept it, allowing industries to move the needle on what is considered acceptable through coordinated action.

      On paper they’re competitiors, but when there’s an option that benefits the profits of all of them they don’t hesitate to “enrich” themselves and coordinate.

    • Nommer
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      1 year ago

      They’re running out of ways to make the number go up without outright cutting wages and not raising wages isn’t keeping up anymore. I worried we’re rapidly approaching another great depression.

  • NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    We’ve noted how BMW has embraced making heated seats and other features already in your car a subscription service

    I have heard that BMW has reverted that.

    • JJROKCZ@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I remember reading that German and British courts both were looking to block Mercedes altering engine performance via subscription packages or remote capability as well.