I think this is dead on. Maps and navigation will still work, The trip planner where it adds chargers automatically will still work, but you won't get map updates, traffic, weather, charger availability, etc.
No. I'd be willing to bet Ford hasn't even decided yet.
Is it too much to hope that maybe after three years they'll decide it's too essential to the functioning of the vehicle and just say it's included. This was something that happened with the Chevy Volt OnStar services when they basically said "essential services are free into perpetuity." Perhaps they'll decide some of this stuff is "essential."
It's certainly a possibility. Ford used to charge a subscription for basic app functionality like unlock and start, but then decided to make it free (most manufacturers still charge for this).
was that in FordPass world? MyFord Mobile in EV/PHEV world never charged for that, even after the "complimentary 5 years" as far as I know?
I just can't imagine that this is a business model that they can hope to make money off of in today's world. Too many free (and very good) alternatives that can be displayed in the exact same place on your screen. I can't imagine that many people would pay for an update, and it would seem like then it just becomes really lousy marketing on Ford's part - I'm being reminded I need to pay for something that I'm getting from a better service for free. I guess I've seen stupider stuff done in the corporate world, but it certainly doesn't seem like a good decision.
You never know, the ability to have a properly native navigation that doesnt necessarily depend on having connectivity might be enough to warrant them to charge for a more realtime updated premium version. I mean in many conventional vehicles you still need to buy an SD card for the most updated maps so Ford could still be following this mentality. Has it been verified that the maps on MME are current?
I've seen it go both ways on previous Chrysler vehicles. In one situation they decided it wasn't profitable after implementation, and enabled things for free. In the other they decided it wasn't profitable and released a firmware update that COMPLETELY REMOVED features from the products.
It may have been before that. I had remote start/lock over cellular in a 2013 Explorer and had to pay $60/yr for it.
I want to preface the following with a statement that my counter thoughts below are meant with the utmost respect. I do not have enough of an ego to think that my opinions on the matter have any more strength or validity than your own, and, as a matter of fact, I think your post is very well thought out.
MyFord Mobile != FordPass so that would explain the difference here. I didn't know FordPass went back that far.
Chrysler is horrible with this. My wife's Pacifica (and my Cherokee before that) fully support remote start/lock/unlock with the Uconnect app over cellular. They came with 1 year free, but they charge $15/mo after that. The functionality is nice to have, but there's no way I'm paying $15/mo for it.
Oh I agree with you 100% I was really trying to put myself in the shoes of a manufacturer trying to justify the cost of paying for the extra services. I don't know if many of you remember but when GPS first came out you had to pay a monthly fee just for it to work
I believe we were promised three years on the 2017 Fusion Energi w/ Sync3. Closing in on the 5 year anniversary without any changes...services such as weather, traffic, still work.
