Re:Mercedes-Benz to introduce acceleration subscription fee
by have_faith on Saturday November 26, 2022 @01:25PM
(#33755194)
Having the hardware tuned to specific performance curve (via software) doesn't bother me as long as I know when I buy the car what I'm buying. There are reasons to do that, long term wear and tear, safety, insurance costs, co2, etc. But I resent being made to pay a subscription for something that has no natural need for one, especially when it requires no ongoing work for the company I am paying. It's slimey and only exists to erode ownership, increase the cusumers reliance on the manufacturer and will disporportionately affect poor people whose wealth is further lessened by never properly owning anything.
I think it's Tesla that started with Autopilot and now others are also experimenting.
In the case of subscriptions, obviously the resale value will become based on base configuration without options with the buyer then hopefully able to get the subscriptions they want.