Latest grab by auto manufactures

[buckeyefarmer]

That doesn't even make sense, as all they need is a satellite for it to work.

They get their location from cell towers.

 

[IndyJay]

I just have a couple observations to add to this. You are correct on something like an engine or transmission. However, there are other things at play. Economies of scale are a real thing. Lets use a headlight switch in a Ford Mustang as an example. Every automobile has to have a headlight switch.

There were 52,414 Ford Mustangs sold in 2021. So we will assume the same number of headlight switches and that these switches are only used for the mustangs.

There can be multiple options:
1. Manual headlights no fog lights
2. Manual headlights with fog lights
3. Auto headlights no fog lights
4. Auto headlights with fog lights

Automated tooling is very expensive. I would estimate that tooling for each switch *could* be in the $200,000 range, regardless of options.

Assume 80% of the cars use all options. 41,931 cars. $4.77 per switch for tooling.
Assume there is $5 worth of material and labor in each. $9.77 each switch total.

Now assume only 5% use the manual option with no fog light. That makes $76.31 in tooling per switch.
Even if the cost of labor and material was half for this switch, they would still cost Ford $78.81 each.

In this situation it would make more sense to use the "more expensive" all option switch in all vehicles and not enable the software on the lesser ones. But it would probably still be cheaper not to add the fog lights themselves to all cars that don't need them. Not taking into account of economies of scale on the bumper openings for the lights... There are more variables at play for example some of the tooling could probably be used on all 4 options etc. Also the inventory carrying cost of holding 2 options and slowing product turnover. But this illustrates that there is more beneath the surface than some expect.

We aren't talking about the switch.
We are talking about the switch AND fog lights being installed but you have to pay a monthly fee to flip a bit in the software enable the fog lights. You are paying for the switch AND the fog lights whether you wanted them or not. You are then subsidizing those who chose to have them.

 

[tacticalturnip]

They get their location from cell towers.

That doesn't negate his point in any way; you're going to lose signal for extended periods when in Northern Maine, and it helps to have a gazetteer.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

We aren't talking about the switch.
We are talking about the switch AND fog lights being installed but you have to pay a monthly fee to flip a bit in the software enable the fog lights. You are paying for the switch AND the fog lights whether you wanted them or not. You are then subsidizing those who chose to have them.

Ok, I have a comment on that also. Subscription based options are stupid!

 

[ultrarunner]

So if you are a paid up subscriber and it does not work will it be fixed or provide a refund...?

 

[MossRoad]

They get their location from cell towers.

They do not need cell towers for GPS to work.

 

[MossRoad]

So if you are a paid up subscriber and it does not work will it be fixed or provide a refund...?

Not if the product is end of lifed.

 

[cqaigy2]

It's a good way to increase the incoming cash flow. That way they don't have to rent the vehicle to you forever, which has bad optics, instead they rent out everything the vehicle does. It's a "win", "win".

 

[MossRoad]

They get their location from cell towers.

This pretty much explains it.

Can I use Google Maps without Data​

Yes, Google Maps is among many popular smartphone and tablet navigation apps used for navigation, and this has increased significantly over the past few years.

Anywhere in the world you are, you can always use it to navigate. You can use maps without cellular phone data, unlike most other apps that require Wi-Fi or cellular data to work.

This means you may not get map update services such as traffic routes and road closures. However, the loss will not stop the maps or GPS navigation from working. In addition, you can always download maps for particular areas which can use the GPS without data or the Internet.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

That doesn't negate his point in any way; you're going to lose signal for extended periods when in Northern Maine, and it helps to have a gazetteer.

Wasn’t negating anything, just answering a question. Happens in WV also. I’ve had waze screen go blank as it could not update the map. Google maps can be downloaded local to prevent this problem