[RahulNagaraj]

According to a media report, General Motors is adding US$1500 to the base price of multiple new models to cover for its 'OnStar Connectivity package'. The package, although listed under "options", cannot be removed even if the customer isn't interested in it.



The connected services subscription has been made mandatory for three years on all GMC & Buick models, as well as the Cadillac Escalade. Reports state that customers will be charged the additional amount irrespective of whether they activate the OnStar connectivity service or not. The connectivity pack provides customers features like a remote key fob, vehicle diagnostics, unlimited data and WiFi hotspots, while also offering access to the OnStar Guardian app for RSA or emergencies.

The move to mandatorily add the connectivity pack is aimed to help increase GM's revenue by boosting its subscription offers. GM also states that post the three-years, customers can either subscribe to the same or different plan, although prices for those haven't been revealed.

Source: Detroit Free Press

Link to Team-BHP news

[Everlearner]

If the customer can't opt out, then it cannot be called as optional

They could have added this cost to the vehicle price itself and say its free for first 3 years and chargeable thereafter. But, it is a bigger strategy by automakers to slowly change people mindset to accept start paying subscription fees for cars for various features. Slowly, they will start moving more and more features to subscription model instead of one time ownership.

IMHO, this is a dangerous trend.

One day, you may have to swipe your card everytime you need to switch on the AC

[Abhisheknott]

Was expecting something like this on the Tesla first.
GMC maybe testing the adoption of the same to roll out on other brands in GM. Except for the maps/camera here is no other utility in a touchscreen system. Soon we will have pay per use model for features i guess.

[MotoBlip]

Originally Posted by RahulNagaraj

The connectivity pack provides customers features like a remote key fob, vehicle diagnostics, unlimited data and WiFi hotspots, while also offering access to the OnStar Guardian app for RSA or emergencies.

Remote key fob? Seriously, Et tu, Brute? I previously thought all big players like BMW, Toyota, VW etc. were making a seriously bad PR move by introducing subscriptions, but I guess it's a move as good as it gets, for it has motivated the knuckleheads at GM offices to jump in on the bandwagon and share a piece of the pie previously reserved for a select few. I imagine other manufacturers will only follow suit, further emphasizing the need for stronger legislation.

Sheesh, sort of makes me wanna hate the international market scene right now, ohh and did you know, Kia and Subaru are fighting customers over right-to-repair.

OT: Imagine the irony when I pressed the source link to direct me to orignal article, it asked me to pay a subscription fee to view the content

[vikred]

This certainly looks like a click bait-ish headline a GM-hater came up with. GM is making OnStar standard on their models. Period.

Imagine a certain automaker making the stereo system standard in their models, resulting in people complaining that they do not want to pay for a feature (stereo) that they are not planning to use (listen to).

[ajayc123]

For standard features it is too much to expect a separate costed line item if it cannot be removed.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by RahulNagaraj

The connected services subscription has been made mandatory for three years on all GMC & Buick models, as well as the Cadillac Escalade. Reports state that customers will be charged the additional amount irrespective of whether they activate the OnStar connectivity service or not. The connectivity pack provides customers features like a remote key fob, vehicle diagnostics, unlimited data and WiFi hotspots, while also offering access to the OnStar Guardian app for RSA or emergencies.
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Originally Posted by vikred

This certainly looks like a click bait-ish headline a GM-hater came up with. GM is making OnStar standard on their models. Period.

Imagine a certain automaker making the stereo system standard in their models, resulting in people complaining that they do not want to pay for a feature (stereo) that they are not planning to use (listen to).

Well, the difference is you can use the stereo system if you wanted to, whenever you want, wherever you want, however you want.

The problem is you are being charged for the option whether you use it or not. But if don't use it intially and wanted to use the stereo system after 1-3-5-7-10 years later, you can. You wouldn't need to subscribe to use the music system.

[mango_pal]

Originally Posted by RahulNagaraj

The package, although listed under "options", cannot be removed even if the customer isn't interested in it.

The customer can opt out. By not buying a GM car.

Some companies provide customers with superior products to boost sales, some resort to tactics like this.

People don't like to be taken for a ride. They are digging their own graves.

[twin-turbo]

It is best to simply not buy such cars that are forcing subscriptions for features. This is predominantly happening in American brands, as expected.

[Grimlock]

Pure greed. When something like this was done by BMW, There were rumors that some owners were resorting to piracy to unlock the features they paid for in the first place, which does not seem like a bad idea in this case.

[McLaren Rulez]

Since this is the US, it might even be that there were no cars without those features on dealer lots anyway.

[dragracer567]

Originally Posted by Everlearner

One day, you may have to swipe your card everytime you need to switch on the AC

Your comment reminded me of this episode of Trevor Noah, one day you'll have to pay to use the horn at some point

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkPa2MDNFQI