So now automakers are asking people to pay to get themselves killed. Nice.

 

Elon space man bad, got it

 

Addressing absolutely nothing that I wrote while coming up with a ridiculous strawman to dismiss my criticism doesn't make for a compelling defense of Tesla.

 

I agree that subscription models for advanced cruise control are bad, however I guess this is one of the ways they`re going to stay up to date with the tech times, and also advertise it as a value proposition. For Caddy and GM as a whole, active safety systems are not standard, but rather optional; the mindset is not everyone wants gizmos and gadgets, some might hate it. So pay for only the bare minimum, and if you feel like you need it, you have that subscription, just like XM radio, onstar etc etc.

In regards to the hardware, Super cruise seems to have the same control systems active and passive as other vehicles, but the only differences are system integration of cloud based maps and driver awareness cameras. The only issue in all of this, is cloud access limitations, and how they made the onboard sensors more robust then typical off the shelf components which tend to lack stationary object detection etc.

Off shoot is that I`d prefer a more robust lidar, radar, camera detection system (3 pipelines of information) which I assume is the upcoming Lexus LS thats coming out.

 

On a similar note, BMW considering making heated seats a subscription is absurd too. I understand why, but I don't agree with it. To many systems reliant on a subscription to OnStar, Enform etc.. these days and it's only going to get worse

 

But heated seats don't connect to cloud based systems, or have updates. So that would be completely ridiculous.

I don't like it any more than you do, but high-tech systems that have constant connectivity, with tech that is ever-evolving is going to be fair game to move to subscription models.

 

heated seats is a ridiculous piece to make subscription, it requires next to no support and updates. That is just a straight cash grab

 

I'm not so sure. I suppose one can control when the heated seats turn on and off via an app. I'm going to assume you will have to go into the menu to control the seats.

 

Yet.... anything electronically controlled in the car can be controlled via connectivity if they're all routed through the hub of the car. It's still completely ridiculous though. Would completely change how OEM's price the car and used vehicle valuations, monroney labels etc. Everything on the Monroney will be "__________ capable" haha.