Free no more! Will Ford's 2025 move cost you more?
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The automotive world is changing fast, and these shifts might just affect your wallet.
If you think you know what to expect, think again.
Read on to find out what’s happening and why it matters to you.
Ford announced that starting 2 January 2025, owners of its newer vehicles would need to pay a subscription fee to access certain navigation features.
This change affected the connected built-in navigation service, available in most models sold since mid-2020.
These vehicles would still come with a one-year trial for the connected navigation service, which includes live traffic updates, current map data, and weather forecasts. However, after 12 months, the free period would come to an end.
Owners would then need to subscribe at a rate of $15 per month or $110 annually to maintain access to these features. However, the basic satellite navigation function would remain operational, even without a subscription.
The impacted models would include those equipped with Ford’s SYNC4 system and integrated satellite navigation from the past four years.
Ford advised owners using driver-assist features, such as traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assist, and adaptive cruise control, to keep their map data updated. These features would still work without a subscription.
It is important to note that Ford’s move does not include its so-called ‘Standard Services’ offered through FordPass.
These include features like remote start, remote locking and unlocking, vehicle location, vehicle status checks, and monitoring battery levels for electric vehicles, all accessible through the owner’s smartphone.
Ford is not the only car manufacturer shifting certain features to a subscription model.
Tesla, for example, provides satellite navigation through what it calls ‘Standard Connectivity’, available for free for the first eight years of a vehicle's life.However, vehicles ordered before 20 July 2022, receive lifetime access to this feature.
To access premium features like live traffic, satellite maps, and streaming services, Tesla owners must subscribe to ‘Premium Connectivity’ for $9.99 per month.
This policy has changed over time, with vehicles ordered before June 30 receiving free lifetime access to these extras.
BMW has also explored subscription-based features, which once included heated seats in specific models.
This drew significant criticism because the hardware was already installed in the vehicles. It sparked discussions about charging for features that were present but disabled.
As car manufacturers like Ford begin to adopt these new models, owners will need to weigh the value of convenience versus the cost of keeping advanced features available.
In a previous story, we shared that Ford has announced a recall affecting hundreds of vehicles.
It’s crucial to check if yours is impacted. Click here to read our full article.
The future of car ownership is changing, and it could impact your budget. What do you think about paying for built-in features? Join the conversation in the comments.
If you think you know what to expect, think again.
Read on to find out what’s happening and why it matters to you.
Ford announced that starting 2 January 2025, owners of its newer vehicles would need to pay a subscription fee to access certain navigation features.
This change affected the connected built-in navigation service, available in most models sold since mid-2020.
These vehicles would still come with a one-year trial for the connected navigation service, which includes live traffic updates, current map data, and weather forecasts. However, after 12 months, the free period would come to an end.
Owners would then need to subscribe at a rate of $15 per month or $110 annually to maintain access to these features. However, the basic satellite navigation function would remain operational, even without a subscription.
The impacted models would include those equipped with Ford’s SYNC4 system and integrated satellite navigation from the past four years.
Ford advised owners using driver-assist features, such as traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assist, and adaptive cruise control, to keep their map data updated. These features would still work without a subscription.
It is important to note that Ford’s move does not include its so-called ‘Standard Services’ offered through FordPass.
These include features like remote start, remote locking and unlocking, vehicle location, vehicle status checks, and monitoring battery levels for electric vehicles, all accessible through the owner’s smartphone.
Ford is not the only car manufacturer shifting certain features to a subscription model.
Tesla, for example, provides satellite navigation through what it calls ‘Standard Connectivity’, available for free for the first eight years of a vehicle's life.However, vehicles ordered before 20 July 2022, receive lifetime access to this feature.
To access premium features like live traffic, satellite maps, and streaming services, Tesla owners must subscribe to ‘Premium Connectivity’ for $9.99 per month.
This policy has changed over time, with vehicles ordered before June 30 receiving free lifetime access to these extras.
BMW has also explored subscription-based features, which once included heated seats in specific models.
This drew significant criticism because the hardware was already installed in the vehicles. It sparked discussions about charging for features that were present but disabled.
As car manufacturers like Ford begin to adopt these new models, owners will need to weigh the value of convenience versus the cost of keeping advanced features available.
In a previous story, we shared that Ford has announced a recall affecting hundreds of vehicles.
It’s crucial to check if yours is impacted. Click here to read our full article.
The future of car ownership is changing, and it could impact your budget. What do you think about paying for built-in features? Join the conversation in the comments.
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