BMW: Difference between revisions - Consumer Rights Wiki

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'''[[Wikipedia:BMW|Bayerische Motoren Werke AG]]''' (usually abbreviated '''BMW''', sometimes anglicized as '''Bavarian Motor Works''') is a German car company.

== Consumer impact summary ==

==Consumer impact summary==

~~{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):~~

BMW has come under fire for requiring subscription charges to access hardware features already built into its vehicles. This requires consumers to pay extra to enable features they possess in a technical capacity.

* User Freedom

* User Privacy

* Business Model

* Market Control}}

==Incidents==

*[[BMW's high beam assistant(HBA)~~]] (~~2019) BMW ~~included~~ the hardware for its auto-dimming headlights but ~~required~~ customers to pay a subscription fee, or an exorbitant one-time fee, to activate ~~their~~ function.

===BMW's high beam assistant (2019)===

*[[BMW's heated seat subscription]] (2022) BMW ~~included~~ the hardware for its heated seats but ~~required~~ customer to pay a subscription fee to activate the function. ~~They also have subscriptions for heated~~ steering wheels, dash cams, and remote start functions.

*[[BMW feature lockout scandal]] (2023) BMW ~~included~~ the hardware for its M adaptive suspension in many vehicles, while requiring customers to pay extra to activate the software that enables the feature.

Since 2019, BMW includes the hardware for its auto-dimming headlights in its vehicles, but requires customers to pay a subscription fee, or an exorbitant one-time fee, to activate the function.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=29 Mar 2021 |title=Today I learned BMW charges extra for a ‘don’t blind other people’ software update |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/28/22351901/bmw-high-beam-assist-assistant-dlc-paid-update-ota |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204083814/https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/28/22351901/bmw-high-beam-assist-assistant-dlc-paid-update-ota |archive-date=4 Dec 2024 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>

===BMW's heated seat subscription (2022)===

Since 2022, BMW includes the hardware for its heated seats in its vehicles, but requires customer to pay a subscription fee to activate the function. Heated steering wheels, dash cams, and remote start functions are also a subscription. Due to heavy criticism, BMW has decided to drop the heated seats subscription, making them available for everyone. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Charlton |first=Alistair |date=7 Sep 2023 |title=BMW Drops Controversial Heated Seats Subscription, To Refocus On Software Services |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alistaircharlton/2023/09/07/bmw-drops-controversial-heated-seats-subscription-to-refocus-on-software-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423192651/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alistaircharlton/2023/09/07/bmw-drops-controversial-heated-seats-subscription-to-refocus-on-software-services/ |archive-date=23 Apr 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=Forbes}}</ref>

===BMW feature lockout scandal (2023)===

Since 2023, BMW includes the hardware for its M adaptive suspension in many vehicles, while requiring customers to pay extra to activate the software that enables the feature.

==References==

[[Category:BMW]]

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 '''[[Wikipedia:BMW|Bayerische Motoren Werke AG]]''' (usually abbreviated '''BMW''', sometimes anglicized as '''Bavarian Motor Works''') is a German car company.
-== Consumer impact summary ==
+==Consumer impact summary==
-{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
+BMW has come under fire for requiring subscription charges to access hardware features already built into its vehicles. This requires consumers to pay extra to enable features they possess in a technical capacity.
-* User Freedom
-* User Privacy
-* Business Model
-* Market Control}}
 ==Incidents==
-*[[BMW's high beam assistant(HBA)]] (2019) BMW included the hardware for its auto-dimming headlights but required customers to pay a subscription fee, or an exorbitant one-time fee, to activate their function.
+===BMW's high beam assistant (2019)===
-*[[BMW's heated seat subscription]] (2022) BMW included the hardware for its heated seats but required customer to pay a subscription fee to activate the function. They also have subscriptions for heated steering wheels, dash cams, and remote start functions.
+{{Main|BMW's high beam assistant(HBA)}}
-*[[BMW feature lockout scandal]] (2023) BMW included the hardware for its M adaptive suspension in many vehicles, while requiring customers to pay extra to activate the software that enables the feature.
+Since 2019, BMW includes the hardware for its auto-dimming headlights in its vehicles, but requires customers to pay a subscription fee, or an exorbitant one-time fee, to activate the function.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=29 Mar 2021 |title=Today I learned BMW charges extra for a ‘don’t blind other people’ software update |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/28/22351901/bmw-high-beam-assist-assistant-dlc-paid-update-ota |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204083814/https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/28/22351901/bmw-high-beam-assist-assistant-dlc-paid-update-ota |archive-date=4 Dec 2024 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>
+===BMW's heated seat subscription (2022)===
+{{Main|BMW's heated seat subscription}}
+Since 2022, BMW includes the hardware for its heated seats in its vehicles, but requires customer to pay a subscription fee to activate the function. Heated steering wheels, dash cams, and remote start functions are also a subscription. Due to heavy criticism, BMW has decided to drop the heated seats subscription, making them available for everyone. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Charlton |first=Alistair |date=7 Sep 2023 |title=BMW Drops Controversial Heated Seats Subscription, To Refocus On Software Services |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alistaircharlton/2023/09/07/bmw-drops-controversial-heated-seats-subscription-to-refocus-on-software-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423192651/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alistaircharlton/2023/09/07/bmw-drops-controversial-heated-seats-subscription-to-refocus-on-software-services/ |archive-date=23 Apr 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=Forbes}}</ref>
+===BMW feature lockout scandal (2023)===
+{{Main|BMW feature lockout scandal}}
+Since 2023, BMW includes the hardware for its M adaptive suspension in many vehicles, while requiring customers to pay extra to activate the software that enables the feature.
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}
 [[Category:BMW]]