Sorry you have to copy and paste…..
https://www.thedrive.com/news/mercedes-makes-better-performance-a-1200-subscription-in-its-evs

 

Maybe in the future, they'll use digital signage for the exterior badging. With the $1,200 subscription, you also get an AMG badge!

Hopefully this flops and they give up on the idea. I'm hoping most buyers of the EVs dont care enough about performance/speed to want to pay for that subscription.

 

Is only a sign of things to come as more and more services will move towards a subscription service.

 

Subscriptions are the new business model for just about everything. Why sell you something once when they can sell it to you over and over?

 

I hope they burn in hell for this. Is that too rash?

 

Locking options behind a subscription paywall will be too lucrative for automakers to ignore. There are a few cases where it makes sense for the owner. For example: Southern Californians taking a ski trip could activate AWD and heated seats for the drive then deactivate the features afterward. It's the "Tesla factor" that bothers me ... Large options or packages bought and paid for by the original owner can be deactivated upon trade and resold by the automaker.

 

Everything is on the subscription model. Adobe was forced to modify its model because originally it had a one-size-fits-all which included all of the Creative Cloud applications for $50 per month (since increased). Photographers who only use Photoshop and Lightroom revolted so they offered a Photography Subscription only including those applications. In my video world, it's the same with Avid and other vendors. It does give the advantage of being able to roll out new features without requiring annual upgrade payments but it has proven a successful model. So I am not surprised to see it in automobiles. Don't like it, but it's the way of the world now.

 

No thank you, I will shop elsewhere for an EV.

 

It'll start slow at first, but it will likely be everywhere. Just one more benefit of an all-touchscreen interface and built-in OTA. As long as automakers stick together they'll all benefit from it.

 

I remember not long ago some members laughed at BMW "free" included features/services and praised MB on how they know how to do business with their subscription and called it the way of capitalism. I wonder how those feel when all these get trickle down.

 

I don't think that thread was "praising" M-B, the comparison was "free maintenance," and most agreed that "free" was included in the sales price.
And that "free" didn't fool anyone.

Yes, Adobe Photoshop was the most egregious, I'm still p****d, but they demonstrated the effectiveness of a new profit center.

I have far too many subscription models in my life - my phone, my music, my software - and more coming. They nibble away at my money, monthly or annually.

​​​​​​With EVs it's power and range, but others have included seat heaters and more.

​​​​​​I don't know how to change that trajectory but it's everywhere.

Maybe by the time I'm attracted to an EV, things will settle down.

 

I can't wait until we can buy a toaster oven that only goes up to 350 degrees unless you buy the premium subscription to unlock 450 degrees for $5/mo.

 

Yikes.
The control they have over your car, or anything, is troublesome.

Last summer, Denverites who subscribed to a Utilities saving plan, which included special thermostats, had their thermostats set to 85F by the Utility..
If your new toaster is part of your home network, you'll have a virtual vending machine.

I'm OK with NAV and Map subscriptions, but having a manufacturer control my car is a different level.

 

"You'll own nothing and be happy"

Certain things like music, movies/tv make sense to subscribe to. Others like features within a car, the rewards program at my favorite bar or ambulance services [this sadly is real] are not worth it / shouldn't be subscribed to. All we can do is vote with our feet and wallets.