[ChiragM]

According to a media report, BMW has removed the subscription fees for Apple CarPlay in the US and the UK.



BMW charged US$ 300 for a lifetime access to CarPlay and later revised the fee to US$ 80 annually, with the first 12 months offered for free.

It is said that BMW has decided to do away with the subscription fee and all models with the latest infotainment system will come with lifetime CarPlay access for free. Reports suggests that Apple does not charge car makers to use CarPlay, but costs are incurred when integrating it with the car's infotainment system. While most manufacturers included this cost in the price of the vehicle, BMW decided to add it as an option in their cars.

Link to Team-BHP News

Source

[srishiva]

Originally Posted by ChiragM

According to a media report, BMW has removed the subscription fees for Apple CarPlay in the US and the UK.

Attachment 1942458

BMW charged US$ 300 for a lifetime access to CarPlay and later revised the fee to US$ 80 annually, with the first 12 months offered for free.

It is said that BMW has decided to do away with the subscription fee and all models with the latest infotainment system will come with lifetime CarPlay access for free. Reports suggests that Apple does not charge car makers to use CarPlay, but costs are incurred when integrating it with the car's infotainment system. While most manufacturers included this cost in the price of the vehicle, BMW decided to add it as an option for their cars.

Link to Team-BHP News

Source

My understanding was they charged because they gave wireless access to carplay. Hopefully, they are not removing the wireless access now.

There has been issues with the wireless going off and on. Dont they support cable based one at all ?

[karan561]

I believe many BMW owners, BHPians paid BMW officially (aprox INR 30-40k) to get the Apple Car Play activated, Its time for them to ask/fight for a REFUND

[landcruiser123]

While I'm okay with manufacturers charging for on-board maps, I find it ridiculous that BMW should charge for Apple CarPlay. Apple CarPlay (or Android Auto) is just a 'plate' and your smartphone is the 'dish' made by the 5 star restaurant.

[GTO]

Serves cheap-thinking BMW just right. How the heck can they charge for something that you get free in mass-market economy hatchbacks? This was just horrible thinking & BMW owners rightly felt they were getting fleeced.

Am glad BMW got a lot of negative press online. The internet is the greatest tool for customers to fight back with .

[aah78]

Originally Posted by ChiragM

BMW charged US$ 300 for a lifetime access to CarPlay and later revised the fee to US$ 80 annually, with the first 12 months offered for free.

BMW was planning to charge customers the annual fee but I don't think they implemented it - probably because of the back-lash.
Any way, it is crazy that in this era BMW, Land Rover, etc. sell their cars with apps like Android Auto & Apple CarPlay as paid options.

(Also, BMW doesn't offer Android Auto, yet only Apple CarPlay but funnily enough the BMW app only works on Android & not Apple phones ).

[HKap]

I guess they got carried away with this whole recurring revenue craze that IT companies have.

This was completely uncalled for esp when you can get this feature for free in a Hyundai Elantra or Accent.