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Cars are about to be a software platform, subscriptions and all

bloomberg.com

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Re: Cars are about to be a software platform, subscriptions and all

#121

Post by chobytes »

xuki wrote: post #119
apatheticonion wrote: post #112

Living in a city and having street-parked "rent-a-car" vehicles for infrequent trips while using trains to get to work is an incredible lifestyle. I went camping recently, so I rented a 4x4 for a few days. I needed to pick up family from the airport, I'll just rent a car for a few hours. Want to go for a hike up north, rent a car for a day. All I have to do is Lime-style, book one on the app, tap my car on the windsh…

For this to work you need a pretty good public transportation system. In the US for example, I don't know of any city other than NYC that have that kind of infrastructure.

Works well in Chicago with the CTA. Havent owned a car in years, and just rent when I need one.

Re: Cars are about to be a software platform, subscriptions and all

#122

Post by chrischen »

obviouslynotme wrote: post #2

I don't want my car to be a software platform. I want it to be like my microwave. It might have software, but software is only incidental to its operation. I do not want to tweet from my microwave. I do not want ads in traffic. This is non-negotiable for safety reasons alone. I don't care what I have to do to attain that. If that means replacing the radio. I will do it. If you brick my car if I don't have a Manufactu…

Dang I wish my microwave had good software. All the pre-set modes are crap.

Re: Cars are about to be a software platform, subscriptions and all

#123

Post by bozzcl »

akomtu wrote: post #102
bozzcl wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You gotta start small. Boycott. Do not buy cars from companies that do this. Even if they allow you to opt out or they have offerings without these “features”. Then tell your friends and family about it. Hopefully, at least one or two of them will understand or agree. Even if nobody follows your example, you’ve planted the idea in their heads. If you have a blog or social media, write about this. Again, it’s unlikely…

In theory, we would just send a letter to senators and they would pass a law to stop this greedy nonsense. In practice those senators get generous donations from car manufacturers.

That’s why seeding your perspective is important, unfortunately. Build leverage before you try to use your lever.

Re: Cars are about to be a software platform, subscriptions and all

#124

Post by BiteCode_dev »

dmortin wrote: post #97
BiteCode_dev wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not so sure. Look at the European market: manual gears everywhere. Look at the UK, South African and Autraslian market: the car is inversed, with the wheel on the right. The car market seems way different than the phone market. It's not an information platform, it moves matter. It's not virtual, it's real. It's not luxury like the phone used to be, people life depends on it already. It's not a free market, but he…

> Look at the European market: manual gears everywhere Automatic is more expensive. If they had the same price tag then most people would buy automatic in Europe too, because it's more convenient.

If that were the case, you would see most high end cars in France with automatic transmission. It's not the case here. People are quite attached to their manual gear.

Re: Cars are about to be a software platform, subscriptions and all

#126

Post by marsven_422 »

obviouslynotme wrote: post #2

I don't want my car to be a software platform. I want it to be like my microwave. It might have software, but software is only incidental to its operation. I do not want to tweet from my microwave. I do not want ads in traffic. This is non-negotiable for safety reasons alone. I don't care what I have to do to attain that. If that means replacing the radio. I will do it. If you brick my car if I don't have a Manufactu…

You have no choice, someone somewhere did a business canvas that showed that turning your car into a software platform will be profitable

Re: Cars are about to be a software platform, subscriptions and all

#127

Post by fogihujy »

BiteCode_dev wrote: post #124
dmortin wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Look at the European market: manual gears everywhere Automatic is more expensive. If they had the same price tag then most people would buy automatic in Europe too, because it's more convenient.

If that were the case, you would see most high end cars in France with automatic transmission. It's not the case here. People are quite attached to their manual gear.

Automatic transmission is also seen as more boring, and while professional drivers can get away with using them many people consider you a lesser driver if you don't drive manual.

For the record, I just had a look at the local second-hand market; cars with automatic transmission are cheaper and more available, while the demand for cars with manual transmission is higher.

Re: Cars are about to be a software platform, subscriptions and all

#128

Post by michalu »

A friend of mine bought new BMW and the whole thing just shut down half way into the journey, he said he was happy he could get out of it. The more complexity the higher the chance of failure.

If you're like me you just want a car that get's you from point A to point B reliably and safely. You're probably thinking they will always be an option for a straightforward mechanical machine.

But that may not be the case. Regulators are increasing demands for more and more electronics and a lot of that is driven (I assume) by car industry lobby.

Essentially, the best thing a car industry can achieve is to turn your car into a computer or iphone. This way they can release new models every year and increase the the pressure to buy more.

Right now a 20yo car is still good to drive around and not that much has improved, but what are you going to do it the new software update is no longer compatible with your car? :)

And obviously, more higher complexity.higher failure means more profits on component sales.

Re: Cars are about to be a software platform, subscriptions and all

#129

Post by at_a_remove »

You think this is interesting, wait until the CEO of your car subscription company wakes up in a bad mood and decides to "cancel" your car. That whole "In the future, you will own nothing and you will be happy" thing is going to keep you gloriously in-line and silent when not.

Re: Cars are about to be a software platform, subscriptions and all

#130

Post by alibarber »

fogihujy wrote: post #127
BiteCode_dev wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If that were the case, you would see most high end cars in France with automatic transmission. It's not the case here. People are quite attached to their manual gear.

Automatic transmission is also seen as more boring, and while professional drivers can get away with using them many people consider you a lesser driver if you don't drive manual. For the record, I just had a look at the local second-hand market; cars with automatic transmission are cheaper and more available, while the demand for cars with manual transmission is higher.

Interesting - I (British, living in another country in Europe) have just bought a new automatic car, but if I were buying used I would most likely only buy manual because the maintenance and replacement parts for an auto will likely cost much more, and a used car would more likely need these sooner - and be less likely to be covered by any warranty.

These are of course my perceptions; maybe they're correct, maybe not, but I do think it's a common way of thinking.

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