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Has Skoda lost its direction — or just the plot? Its bosses say they are going to charge buyers an additional fee to activate features already built into the car, such as satnav.
Only when a new owner pays extra to download the relevant software will they be able to use the navigation system. And that’s just the start.
The brand is also exploring more paid-for ‘on- demand’ features, including adaptive cruise control and automatic headlight dipping from the infotainment screen.
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BMW have been doing it for a while I think. Not a direction I want to see car manufacturers going in.
I dont think it will be a major issue, as Andy said BMW have been doing this for years.
But as most people use CarPlay or Android Auto they have access to live maps
The brand is also exploring more paid-for ‘on- demand’ features, including adaptive cruise control and automatic headlight dipping from the infotainment screen.
I think that will be a major issue
To some extent Skoda are already doing it. There’s a store from which you can buy software based features from packs you didn’t buy on purchase. Things like the ACC, auto headlight main beam all available at an extra cost (assuming hardware allows) through your infotainment system.
I vaguely remember an article where BMW were talking about a monthly subscription for software controlled options, so you buy a car with the physical capability of everything (nearly) the top of the range model has but all these features switched off, then for a monthly cost, you can buy what you feel you need.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
I have this on my Renault e tec icon I can purchase extra packs through the software in the car cheapest was £500 I scrolled on by.
The way it was explained to me was, instead of paying thousands for options all cars are fitted with it all and you can activate anything at anytime potentially saving you money upfront.
I think it’s stupid, how daft are these guys? How long before a dongle gets released or software on a laptop to just unlock it yourself. If it’s YOUR car as you buy it you are entitled to do what you want with it so they can’t stop you from tinkering with their code.
It cuts to the heart of can you fiddle with stuff you’ve bought. So many companies would say no, no you can’t like say Apple but inherently if you bought it, you own it so you can do what you like.
Technically they can’t even void your warranty because they’d have to prove in court whatever the fault was was caused specifically by what you’ve done. Sure they can threaten and refuse but if you took them to court they’d have to defend it and I can’t see how they could unless you really did break something as software is effectively just a switch turning something on or off.
The Enyaq I test drove last week had adaptive cruise control fitted but if you tried to use it you got a message about it not being activated and in the car menu was stuff about on demand…
It’s on theory also about used car buyers being able to upgrade the car they buy or even dealers activating new options to make a used car more attractive. I think there’s a place for it maybe do it this way or that way your choice
I guess anything turned on without funding needs turning off before services or repairs as the dealership will probably both deactivate and report it to Skoda.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
personally having some off these new nanny “driving aids” switched off as a default would make me very happy.
the one that bleeps and tries to take over steering when you cross the white line is a nightmare. round here many have to park half on half off the pavement as theres no offroad parking and the roads not wide enough for parking both sides. so your forever having to weave in and out driving down the middle of the road.
thankfully the first thing the rep did on handover was show me how to switch it off and it will not be switched on whilst i have the car. if only i could switch the rest off i would be happy.
Yes but as for report it to Skoda what have you done wrong? It’s your car you own it (assuming you’re buying it or bought it maybe a reason not to use Skoda finance as I expect that’ll be a clause) it’s like saying report to Skoda that you changed the alloy wheels or put led bulbs in (where applicable) I just don’t see outside of a EULA that changing settings like that would be illegal, look at a Carly device and software that changes car features.
I think this is gonna be a real mess until there’s a test case. All comes right back to right to repair and do you ever really own anything
The way it was explained to me was, instead of paying thousands for options all cars are fitted with it all and you can activate anything at anytime potentially saving you money upfront. I think it’s stupid, how daft are these guys? How long before a dongle gets released or software on a laptop to just unlock it yourself. If it’s YOUR car as you buy it you are entitled to do what you want with it so they can’t stop you from tinkering with their code. It cuts to the heart of can you fiddle with stuff you’ve bought. So many companies would say no, no you can’t like say Apple but inherently if you bought it, you own it so you can do what you like. Technically they can’t even void your warranty because they’d have to prove in court whatever the fault was was caused specifically by what you’ve done. Sure they can threaten and refuse but if you took them to court they’d have to defend it and I can’t see how they could unless you really did break something as software is effectively just a switch turning something on or off. The Enyaq I test drove last week had adaptive cruise control fitted but if you tried to use it you got a message about it not being activated and in the car menu was stuff about on demand… It’s on theory also about used car buyers being able to upgrade the car they buy or even dealers activating new options to make a used car more attractive. I think there’s a place for it maybe do it this way or that way your choice
There are already plenty of devices on sale that do this. You simply plug them into the OBD port and switch them on. There are also plenty of places out there that can do this for you at a fraction of the cost.
Yes I mentioned things like Carly but they’re generally not activating features like cruise control more like how many flashes your indicators make when you unlock and when you unlock does it just unlock the driver’s door first etc.
Activating optional extras is n another level altogether and given the money involved you can bet there’ll be huge pushback by manufacturers to get laws passedaking software changes on your own car illegal
Audi do the same, it works well for me. Still get a high spec car and I can add on any of the few additional features as and when I wish. Most of the features can always be added when the car is being ordered which will then of course mean there is no need to add them in the future, but this will come with an upfront cost.
Its the way car manufacturers are heading (and a lot are doing the same)
As previously stated, BMW have done this for some time. My daughter bought one with ,what she thought had radar cruise control but only had standard cc. They offered to upgrade software for a cost.
Don’t think it was written by anyone above but these subs you pay for are monthly and when you sell the car, they are deactivated. This leads to a new market for car manufacturers, selling subs to secondhand purchasers.Good secondary revenue stream.
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