BMW Makes Car Features Subscription Based

As car sales slump, auto manufacturers are looking for new ways to squeeze a couple extra bucks out of owners after they buy a new vehicle. For BMW, that means coaxing drivers into signing up for in-car bells and whistles.

New BMW cars will come with built-in driver-assist software, heated seats, heated steering wheels and other features that can be purchased by subscription, the company recently announced. The suite of offerings - including various forms of “infotainment” - will also be continuously updated in new and existing cars, according to the company.

There remains, however, an elephant in the room: BMW has not said how much the subscriptions will cost consumers.

The company in July unveiled a number of software upgrades for existing vehicles. That includes new onboard mapping technology and parking spot locators.

“BMW sees the car as a digital platform,” the company said in a statement announcing a variety of software upgrades. “With Remote Software Upgrade, BMW has created the technical basis for keeping vehicles up to date, adding or booking additional vehicle functions, and installing them quickly and easily over the air.”

Safety, Legal Issues Related to Car Defects

As BMW and other companies tinker with a wide variety of tech designed to enhance the experience of being in a car, they still continue to struggle with making vehicles that are actually safe.

In 2017, for example, BMW announced that it was recalling some 1 million vehicles because of a defect that could cause them to catch fire. The company said a crankcase ventilation valve heater problem was to blame. 

Fortunately, for BMW and other car owners in the Golden State, California’s lemon law offers some strong legal protections. The law requires car manufacturers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty.

The law also obligates a car manufacturer that is unwilling or not able to make those repairs to buy the car back, reimbursing the owner for the purchase price and other related expenses. The manufacturer can offer to replace the car instead, but it is up to the owner to decide whether to accept or reject that offer.

Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you are a car owner or lessor who is haggling with a car manufacturer over repairs, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help. A lawyer can help you weigh your rights and options to ensure that the carmaker is held fully accountable.

At the Bickel Law Firm, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state. We work tirelessly to get the people we represent the compensation they deserve and we have a strong track record of success.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.  Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.