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I have yet to buy into any subscription software, but I know that is what they are trying to force. Hopefully, consumers can push back. As far as self driving, I know that is the future. Not for me, but my grandkids may never drive their own car. “FSD” will probably be mandatory in 20 years. That is if private car ownership is still a thing for the masses by then.

The problem with simply refusing to pay for a subscription service is that (if one is lucky enough to be able to buy a new vehicle these days) the technology for these services is already in the vehicle. So the sticker price includes the hardware/software for the feature which you will pay for whether you want to use it or not. Refusing to subscribe to an unwanted feature denies Big Auto some long term cash but does little to encourage them to drop it.

Something else to consider when doing the math to decide if you buy new or a used vehicle is TCO (total cost of ownership). Be sure to include those subscription costs in the long term evaluation of new ownership.

Of course ‘long term’ these days is a tongue in cheek thing as many new vehicles won’t roll up 100,000 miles before it’s first long term stay at a dealers service department. If you are very lucky that new engine will be covered by warranty. It is more likely that it will not be covered and you are out of pocket thousands - music to Big Auto’s ears. Be sure to set aside for that possibility when doing your TCO calculations.

I think consumers will embrace subscription software and cars if they can get them cheaper and get future enhancements thrown in as part of the subscription.

The manufacturers will force you to upgrade by creating features that require more hardware than your current hardware has.

The government could require FSD in future, but I don’t think it will get to that when consumers realize how much safter the roads will be when FSD is embraced by a majority of the consumers, manufacturers will be forced to incorporate the feature.