Ford Quadruples BlueCruise Price to $800/yr for All Renewals

[blkadr08]

I think this deserves it's own new topic. Ford has decided to apply the 2023.5 BlueCruise pricing scheme to everyone (2021-2023's) seeking a renewal after their initial 3-year subscription expires. Source is this post in another topic:

As stated, things work a little differently for Job 1 2021 Mach-E's, which weren't delivered with functional BlueCruise. I believe they got a free 1-year trial starting when the feature was installed, and will have an opportunity to buy an additional 3 years for $600 to provide parity before the price goes up to $800/yr for subsequent renewals.

Obviously this is a huge increase from the previously stated $200/yr subscription rate. Everyone I've talked to is angry about this and no one wants to renew at that price (I agree). Ford likely feels the positive reviews of BlueCruise 1.2 in Consumer Reports and other media outlets (such as @OutofSpecKyle Hogback challenge) warrants a huge price increase to rival Tesla Enhanced Autopilot. I don't think it's worth anywhere close to $800/yr, BlueCruise 1.2 still has issues, constant dropouts on curves, very limited coverage, and uses outdated hardware (EyeQ4) designed in 2015. It is much less sophisticated than Tesla Enhanced Autopilot, which has many times more processing power and can automatically change lanes with no user input, take interchanges, and merge onto freeways.

I think an increase from $200/yr to $250/yr for BlueCruise 1.2 would be fair and reasonable, $800/yr is way too much for a Level 2 ADAS. Most people do not want to pay more than $20/month for it.

The folks at the KIA and Hyundai stores are going to love this news!

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[SightUp]

No one has mentioned it. I just thought of something.

What are the chances that Ford will push ads? I 100% see them doing it. While you are driving, "BC is available. Subscribe now." I am selling day 1.

 

[MacherAWD]

No one has mentioned it. I just thought of something.

What are the chances that Ford will push ads? I 100% see them doing it. While you are driving, "BC is available. Subscribe now." I am selling day 1.

They should be smarter than conventional advertising, the routed in charge stop should be the business that is paying ford. We will get routed an extra 5min further and end up at a 7/11 cause they paid. Or on bluecruise my car automatically drives into a starbucks drivethru, and I just say, "well I am here, might as well buy something" I could see this future coming to us. But heck if it saves me that stupid fee bring it on!

 

[azerik]

I am assuming this price is not going to survive. Even among a forum full of MME enthusiasts, I have not seen one person say they’d pay $800 a year for this. My bet is they will revise this soon.

Anyone that could justify AND afford $800 a year for this ONE thing, won’t be driving a MME. Let that sink in Ford.

 

[vortix]

By the time my initial 3-yr BC subscription ends in December, 2025, I'll either keep it without renewing at those prices, or I'll trade for a newer car. Not worth worrying about in either case. BlueCruise is nice, but not necessary. Adaptive cruise control is good enough for $0.

 

[azerik]

2024 MME... "We removed ACC due to chip shortages, but BC works."

 

[MuckyMach-e]

Interesting that Ford has only recently announced Bluecruise in the UK for £17.99 a month. That equates to $269 per year. Admittedly only for 2023 models and only for BC1.0. Supposedly it’s coming for my MY21 but that requires separate government approvals. Given that I’ve not even got the refreshed UI yet I’m not holding out much hope of getting it in the next 12 months by which time my car will be 3 years old. I don’t think I’ll ever be an early adopter again and will seriously consider alternatives to Ford next time.

 

[Ghost Ryder]

The subscription is only for BC Hands Free - meaning the blue screen. The regular “bubble mode” - Lane Centering with Adaptive Cruise Control - will still work without the subscription.

Other than the hands free part, do you guys noticed any difference in performance between the two?

 

[MuckyMach-e]

Interesting that Ford has only recently announced Bluecruise in the UK for £17.99 a month. That equates to $269 per year. Admittedly only for 2023 models and only for BC1.0. Supposedly it’s coming for my MY21 but that requires separate government approvals. Given that I’ve not even got the refreshed UI yet I’m not holding out much hope of getting it in the next 12 months by which time my car will be 3 years old. I don’t think I’ll ever be an early adopter again and will seriously consider alternatives to Ford next time.

Before I come across as too smug, I discovered I can buy a new GTPE in the US with every available option including BC for $16,000 less than a GT in the UK without BC ??.

 

[67 Stang Convertible]

Soon they will charge a separate subscription for each part of the car. (and everything else in the world) It's getting ridiculous.

Oh, you want to "back out" of your driveway? That will be $10 a month to use the "Reverse" feature of the Mach E........FMC

 

[timbop]

Before I come across as too smug, I discovered I can buy a new GTPE in the US with every available option including BC for $16,000 less than a GT in the UK without BC ??.

That's typical though, isn't it? You can certainly buy a Mercedes or BMW far cheaper in Europe than in the US.

 

[MuckyMach-e]

That's typical though, isn't it? You can certainly buy a Mercedes or BMW far cheaper in Europe than in the US.

Yeah but everyone has one of those. Actually everyone has a Tesla now. The Mach-e is still rare enough to be super cool.

 

[67 Stang Convertible]

And you can bypass the torque sensor to continue driving HF, just as good as BCHF, with a cheap ankle weight strapped slightly off center on the steering wheel. Just remember that no system is perfect and you always have to keep your eyes on the road and your hands at the ready, just like with BCHF. BCHF 1.0 is exactly the same as hands-on in terms of lane centering reliability - it just swaps the eye nanny for hand nanny. Ford asking $800/yr for that is a joke. BCHF 1.2 adds lane change assist, but so what? That’s not worth the money, either.

I wonder if there is a less bulky alternative. A piece of velcro slightly tightened around the wheel?

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

The subscription is only for BC Hands Free - meaning the blue screen. The regular “bubble mode” - Lane Centering with Adaptive Cruise Control - will still work without the subscription.

There will be much wailng and gnashing of teeth if that ends up being incorrect (which I highly doubt).

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Yeah but everyone has one of those. Actually everyone has a Tesla now. The Mach-e is still rare enough to be super cool.

I've seen a grand total of 5 MMEs in the two years I've had mine: Rapid red, Cyber Orange, Grabber Blue, Inifinte Blue, and the dealer's Star White FCTP vehicle. Teslas? Yeah, 5 by the time I get to town on a slow quiet day.

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