A Lot of New In-car Tech Is 'not Necessary,' Survey Finds

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Partially automated driving systems scored particularly poorly.

Posted by LampLighter at 12:31 PM | 32 COMMENTS | permalink

More from the article...

... Jumping into a new car from the driver's seat of something built before 2010 can cause quite the case of future shock. Over that time, automakers have been on a technology frenzy, loading up new vehicles with all manner of gizmos, gadgets, and features, some meant to make your life easier, others to make your journey safer. But do car buyers actually want all this stuff? A new survey by JD Power suggests they may not. ...

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-08-27 12:14 AM

@#1 ... Jumping into a new car from the driver's seat of something built before 2010 can cause quite the case of future shock ...

I can relate to this.

When I bring my 2002 car into service, and I am given a 2024 loaner car for the day, the experience of driving that 2024 car is odd.

For starters, where I would expect a dashboard to be, I am now presented by what looks like a living room entertainment center.

And I also say good-bye to any tactile controls on the dash. Controls are all "touch" controls, with the inherent problems they present.

Volkswagen admits touch controls caused significant damage, Promises revisions (2023)
www.telematicswire.net

... Volkswagen admitted that their extensive use of touch-based control systems in their vehicles has caused considerable damage. Following numerous complaints from customers and industry experts regarding the functionality and safety of touch controls, Volkswagen conducted an internal review. The findings confirmed that touch-based interfaces have led to several issues, including driver distraction, reduced ergonomics, and compromised safety on the road. ...

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-08-27 12:20 AM

It's about making cars more Expensive. Not safer or more user friendly.

Duh?

#3 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2024-08-27 12:47 AM

@#3 ... It's about making cars more Expensive. ...

Not more expensive,

Just more profitable.

Or don't your current alias' issued talking points take into account Capitalism?

#4 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-08-27 03:24 AM

It's not A/B. They're more expensive and more profitable.

#5 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-08-27 08:05 AM

I'm happy to be rid of my tesla, but I'm never going back to gas, or going back to a car that doesn't have auto driving functions.

All the other tesla crap like video games is pointless but being able to relax in a traffic jam or on a long road trip is a life changer.

#6 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2024-08-27 12:46 PM

Obviously. They can overcharge for every feature.

That small LCD screen costs $80? Sell it for $800.

#7 | Posted by Sycophant at 2024-08-27 01:14 PM

I drive a 2021 GMC Terrain and there are a couple of new features (compared to the 2013 GMC Terrain that I traded-in) that I really like. They include adaptive speed control, where you set the maximum speed that you want to drive and the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you (in car-lengths) and it maintain that distance and matches the speed, as long as it's less than what you've set. I also like the automatic dimming high-beams. One thing I wish it had, that my wife's Mercedes C300 has, is automatic windshield wipers, which changes speed depending on how heavy it's raining. One thing that I wasn't sure that I'd like, but now that I'm used to it, I kind of like, and that's 'push-button' (actually switches that you pull) gear shift mounted in the dash. It allows for a 'cleaner' center console with more usable space for cup holders and a place to put your cell phone. Also, the automatic braking is handy, particularly when you're trying to navigate parking lots with people stopping quick or backing out without looking.

All-in-all, the additional 'tech' in my current car, compared to the same, albeit eight-year older, model, is highly appreciated and works really well.

OCU

#8 | Posted by OCUser at 2024-08-27 01:17 PM

"video games is pointless"

How dare you! Video games are not pointless!

I have at least 450,000 runes. I am ready to level up. That means I will finally be able to use my arcane skills.

Pointless? I think not!

#9 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-08-27 01:20 PM

How dare you! Video games are not pointless!

I have at least 450,000 runes. I am ready to level up. That means I will finally be able to use my arcane skills.

Pointless? I think not!

#9 | Posted by donnerboy

As a fortnite addict I will still admit videogames are pointless.

#10 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2024-08-27 01:45 PM

I bought a 2024 Ford and it's about as basic as you can get these days. Still has auto headlights and auto braking features.

I wish it had adaptive cruise control but it doesn't.

#11 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-08-27 01:52 PM

I am a big fan of my copilot system. I will never again buy a vehicle that doesn't have that type of tech.

#12 | Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2024-08-27 01:54 PM

That small LCD screen costs $80? Sell it for $800.

#7 | Posted by Sycophant at 2024-08-27 01:14 PM | Reply | Flag:

No. You can't just use any LCD nor OLED display, it has to be automotive grade. That means more expensive.

Tesla tried to use laptop screens as a design shortcut. They all had to be replaced.

#13 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-08-27 01:56 PM

The thing in the automotive world with a high margin they can sell to suckers is software upgrades, like Tesla's launch mode.

#14 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-08-27 01:59 PM

As a fortnite addict I will still admit videogames are pointless.

#10 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY

Pretty sure I was just being sarcastic.

But let me check ...

Yep. I was definitely being sarcastic.

#15 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-08-27 02:25 PM

#8 | Posted by OCUser

Most of those features go back to before your old model albeit mostly on more pricey models at that time. My 2002 had features my 2017 doesn't and vice versa. The adaptive cruise may be the biggest new feature I like. I have drove some newer vehicles. I don't have much use for the new tech and I am a tech guy. Most of the driver assistance junk is just that - Junk. Some however is good - like automatic braking however sometimes it gets antsy (or maybe I should have been slowing down sooner/faster :) ). The bottom line is these "new" features have come down to a point they can add them to lower models. However they aren't adding them out of the goodness of their heart - you are paying for them and at a premium. They now have both a lower price and a higher margin than when they were new and in luxury cars or high end packages. The average price of a new car is up about 30% in the last 10 years. And it is not due to the new contracts - only about 5% of the cost of a new car is labor.

BTW as noted in Lamp's post - the thing I really hate are touch screens. But honestly new cars are meant to be disposable. When you start to read about things on them and the price service them - yeesh. One vehicle I ran into recently had the most ridiculous Accessory belt change. $2200 Why? They have to literally pull of the full front of the car including bumper cover, shrouds, radiators, intercoolers and other things just to get to it. Now start thinking about the electronics packages. If you think they were pricey going in... Average cost to replace an engine is over 10k now too.

#16 | Posted by GalaxiePete at 2024-08-27 04:34 PM

Why are conservative so scared and resistant to change?

Wanna see what life looks like in a conservative world, look at Afghanistan.

That's the paradise conservatives want.

#17 | Posted by ClownShack at 2024-08-27 04:49 PM

Why are conservative so scared and resistant to change?

Wanna see what life looks like in a conservative world, look at Afghanistan.

That's the paradise conservatives want.

#17 | Posted by ClownShack

I think it's literally a type of brain. Fear-based brain.

#18 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2024-08-27 05:09 PM

Touch screens are great. My 2021 GMC Terrain is a touch screen and it works fine. I can also use voice commands to enter things like addresses in the navigator and so on. However, my wife's 2018 Mercedes C300, it's not a touch screen and no voice command. It's a pain having to use a 'knob' in the center console to 'type' in addresses or select options.

OCU

#19 | Posted by OCUser at 2024-08-27 05:38 PM

#13

I seriously doubt if "automotive grade" costs 10 time more to manufacture.

#20 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2024-08-27 05:48 PM

"automotive grade".. bwahaha

Muskrat used cheap ---- like always.

#21 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2024-08-27 05:51 PM

My next car will have lane keeping and adaptive cruise control.

And a digital speedometer. I'm DONE with analog garbage. My 1983 Toyota had a digital speedometer, as did my 1988 Ford. But ---- Consumer Reports complained about it, and it was impossible to find a digital speedometer for a few decades. They're finally back, but I still won't read anything ---- Consumer Reports has to say about ANYTHING, their opinion is invalid.

Got to see a friend's new Mustang recently. Absolutely beautiful car, BIG touchscreen in the middle, no analog gauges anywhere, and best of all no more gasoline. Really comfortable too, and FAST. As soon as prices come down on used ones, I'm getting one.

#22 | Posted by DarkVader at 2024-08-27 06:42 PM

Do I need SiriusXM? No, but I enjoy it.

Do I need blind spot warning? No.

Do I need automatic braking? Adaptive cruise control? Eyesight? Back up cameras? Push start? Remote start? Heated seats? Air conditioning? Climate control? An app to locate the car, lock or unlock the doors or start the car? Electric power steering? CVT? Fuel injection? Anti lock brakes? Air bags? Lane keep assitance? Auto dimming rear view and side mirrors? Power windows and door locks? AWD?

Nope. Hell I even think that airbags, anti lock brakes and AWD allow people to take more risks on the road. I have driven cars without all of that.

Hell my first car had AM radio, busted A/C, hand crank windows, pull up locks and a piece of pressure treated plywood under the carpeting for a floor board.

But I do enjoy all the modern conveniences.

#23 | Posted by Nixon at 2024-08-27 07:03 PM

My car is 12 years old... paid for... gets 35+mpg... is fun to drive... in fact... I love to drive it... it's cute as the dickens even though it's a little raggedy... raggedy adds to its charm... has some "auto" this and that's... electric whatnots... heated seats... power something or others... It's hauls all my junk... I can sleep in it on a road trip... decent stereo... basically all the qualities I like in a car.

Not sure what "upgrades" can beat what I'm happy with.... especially at today's prices.

#24 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2024-08-28 12:19 AM

#28 5x, 10x, 20x. It's not a TV made by the million for walmart. Volume matters.

#25 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-08-28 06:52 AM

Tesla use laptop grade monitors and they turned yellow and all had to be ripped out and replaced and a very significant cost to Tesla. They buried it as a Goodwill repair so they could Dodge lemon laws as usual. It definitely wasn't a recall for a defective component. That would imply there is a problem.

#26 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-08-28 06:56 AM

On pricing my source is that I have more OEM Automotive Parts data than most people on the planet. I know what every part costs for the top 20 brands at each level of the supply chain.

#27 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-08-28 07:06 AM

I seriously doubt if "automotive grade" costs 10 time more to manufacture.

Posted by Whatsleft at 2024-08-27 05:48 PM | Reply

It probably doesn't cost 10x more to make, but they have people believing the myth that it is worth paying 10x the price.

#28 | Posted by Nixon at 2024-08-28 07:38 AM

I drive a 94 Honda Acty pick up. It has crank windows.

#29 | Posted by TFDNihilist at 2024-08-28 10:48 AM

It probably doesn't cost 10x more to make

#28 | Posted by Nixon at 2024-08-28 07:38 AM | Reply

Elon musk thought so to. Dunning-Kruger in action. We know he was factually incorrect. Besides volume and technology mattering significantly in pricing, there is a massive engineering gap between the two. Automotive grade displays can handle temps to 185F, consumer electronics is 104F. Humidity, vibration, & shock resistance have to be orders of magnitude better. It has to be a minimum 800 nit screen to read it in sunlight, your TV is around 300 nit. A TV life cycle is 2-5 years, Automotive displays are 10-15. An automotive display has to comply with ISO, AEC, and EMC standards, a regular display only has to pass basic FCC consumer electronics regs. The product has to go through extended, harsh environment automotive testing.

These are all things early Tesla absolutely refused to do or pay for. They used TV grade screens because it was an order of magnitude cheaper and readily available, and they test things on the road with end users instead of investing in the sprawling test facilities owned by the "legacy automakers".

#30 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-08-28 01:51 PM

The more 'techy" stuff in a car, the more that can go wrong.

I prefer crank windows and knobs.

Auto A/C is nice though.

#31 | Posted by bat4255 at 2024-08-29 10:21 AM

www.nps.gov

#32 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2024-08-29 10:31 AM

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