Most of us have noticed an increased push toward subscription-based options If we want to take advantage of all the tech that comes with our vehicles. My wife drives a 2019 Chevy Equinox and we have been paying the fees for the OnStar service, but recently decided we weren't really using enough of the OnStar features to warrant the cost. So, I had it shut off. Now, not only will remote start not work from the cell phone app, even the key fob won't work for remote start.
I recently retired from John Deere corporate, so I still get lots of email and correspondence from the ag community. Last September, I saw an article regarding Deere counting on 10% of it's revenue to be generated by subscription services by 2030. Here is a clip from the article, and a link if you want to read the full version.
US farm machinery giant John Deere has estimated software fees will make up 10 percent of the company's revenues by the end of the decade.
Chief executive John May offered the projection in a Wall Street Journal report on how Deere has plowed billions into developing self-driving tractors and crop sprayers that can tell the difference between weeds and produce.
Though farmers are already struggling with operating costs – including fertilizer and fuel – Deere wants to sell software subscriptions for operating its ever smarter vehicles."
Here is a link to the article: Software to contribute 10% of Deere revenues by 2030
My point is, we can run, but we can't hide. Eventually - and even now, in many cases, we are/will be, bound by the subscription fees if we want to use all the tech we paid for when we purchased the vehicle. So, essentially, we are paying to have the technology built into our vehicles, but can't use it unless we pay their ransom to unlock it. Not sure how y'all feel about that, but I'm concerned.
I recently retired from John Deere corporate, so I still get lots of email and correspondence from the ag community. Last September, I saw an article regarding Deere counting on 10% of it's revenue to be generated by subscription services by 2030. Here is a clip from the article, and a link if you want to read the full version.
"Software fees to make up 10% of John Deere's revenues by 2030"
"1.5 million machines and half a billion acres of land connected to the John Deere Operations Center within a matter of years
Richard Currie - The Register
Mon 12 Sep 2022 // 15:17 UTCUS farm machinery giant John Deere has estimated software fees will make up 10 percent of the company's revenues by the end of the decade.
Chief executive John May offered the projection in a Wall Street Journal report on how Deere has plowed billions into developing self-driving tractors and crop sprayers that can tell the difference between weeds and produce.
Though farmers are already struggling with operating costs – including fertilizer and fuel – Deere wants to sell software subscriptions for operating its ever smarter vehicles."
Here is a link to the article: Software to contribute 10% of Deere revenues by 2030
My point is, we can run, but we can't hide. Eventually - and even now, in many cases, we are/will be, bound by the subscription fees if we want to use all the tech we paid for when we purchased the vehicle. So, essentially, we are paying to have the technology built into our vehicles, but can't use it unless we pay their ransom to unlock it. Not sure how y'all feel about that, but I'm concerned.
