Car sales were once relatively simple. The car was a physical product. You bought the vehicle and its capabilities. Those capabilities were transferable to a new owner. However, as we move toward “software-defined vehicles,” that model is evolving. Manufacturers are exploring ideas from the tech world to generate more consistent revenue streams beyond the initial purchase, most notably through subscription plans for specific features. BMW attempted them, rather hamfistedly, a few years ago with features like Apple CarPlay and heated seats.
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