[srmanuel]

Initially you would think that, but think about the technology industry, software was sold as packages at one time, you buy it you own it.

Then Microsoft changed the game, instead of selling software, they sold subscription or licenses to use software and made Bill Gates and many others insanely rich.

Maybe carmakers will change to a model where they sell cars at cost or break even and then make their money selling subscriptions off of different features.

I believe in the next 5-10 years maybe longer, the biggest feature of new cars will be Full Self Driving (FSD), it will make driving a car significantly safer than today. If manufacturers like Tesla are successful with FSD and selling it as a subscription with future enhancements as part of the license, then you will see other major manufacturers switch to this type of model.

[Waverunner]

I use the FSD service on my Tesla.
My stats on FSD usage are that 83% of my miles are under FSD.
My longest FSD trip, 507 miles.
It's not perfect, Iv'e got one turn when I get off work at 7 in the morning that puts me head on into a rising sun.
FSD doesn't like that turn.
But mostly I listen to my classic rock supermix while my car drives me home.
the link is to Jay Leno's garage of the preproduction model Y with the Tesla design head and production head showing off the car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ6e4-1uuGA&t=4s

[ETCM]

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.

[Chickensoup]

Car makers were talking about using the computer hardware software model 10 years ago.

[Locomotive Breath]

Then Microsoft changed the game, instead of selling software, they sold subscription or licenses to use software and made Bill Gates and many others insanely rich.

That's true across the industry. Formerly you outright bought an upgrade which was better than and had new desirable features compared to the version you were running. So it was worth it. Now the software has completely matured and there's nothing left to add or sell as an upgrade. In fact, there are tons of features that no one uses. So now instead of selling they're renting.

[Not_Who_U_Think]

I believe in the next 5-10 years maybe longer, the biggest feature of new cars will be Full Self Driving (FSD), it will make driving a car significantly safer than today.

---

Your grandkids will breathlessly tell their friends about how grandpa used to drive completely under his control.

[dfwgator]

The Griswolds were ahead of the curve....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M73Gb3gDldY

[WhiteHatBobby0701]

SaaS (software as a service) is the trend. I’m not a fan of SaaS. SaaS is now being used in vehicles, just as we expected.