Comment on GM blocks dealership from installing Apple CarPlay retrofit kits in EVs
Walican132@lemmy.today 1 week ago
It’s silly but I have no interest in buying or driving cars that don’t support CarPlay. I’m used to it. It is safer for me to drive with a gps/voice control system I am used to. When I’ve had to rent cars that don’t support it it has been awful.
I would feel the same if I was an android user with Android auto.
I do not think every car needs their own system when one’s based on the devices we already use exist. Pisses me off.
I also wish someone would make a base model style EV I don’t need all these stupid extra features. I recently test drove a VW EV and wasn’t amused with the RGB door lighting. What a waste of money. I just want a vehicle to get from A to B.
Frankly CarPlay and Android Auto suck in my opinion compared to iDrive 7 on my BMW.
But… that being said, I do support choice. I wouldn’t even consider a car that doesn’t allow CP/AA as I think it should be up to the consumer to pick which one they want to use.
The Nav system on my Audi Q7 BLOWS compared to Android Auto. It can’t seem to understand a damn thing I say.
Yeah I’ve used the Audi one and it sicks. Especially traffic, so many missing streets and odd routing.
I’ve been thinking of starting an ev retrofit company for very common cars/platforms. Drop out the drivetrain/fuel system. Install all the necessary replacement bits, and addons for a/c, heat, etc. Piggyback some kind of system so traction control doesn’t have an aneurism and make the gauges work right. I would need to find a reliable source for batteries and motors.
Edison Motors is doing that in Canada for light duty trucks. I don’t think there’s much of a market for it outside that considering the insane amount of labor costs you’d encounter trying to retrofit a vehicle. Best to either sell the kits to DIYers or find those few unicorn buyers who’d be willing to hand you $100k-$200k for 6-12 months worth of labor on a one-off vehicle.
yeah it would have to be a preconfigured kit for specific vehicles/drivetrain platorms which could be installed in a few days. Transit vans, ford/chevy p/u suv. A popular compact car platform with unreliable drivetrain issues.
I figure cost could come in below $20k depending.
That’s what I love about my ‘23 Yaris. The entertainment system is basically a radio and hybrid telemetry. Everything else is CarPlay/Android Auto. No shitty outdated maps, no 90’-style MP3 player…
Ironically enough those RGB lights that cost Pennies are there to distract you from the fact that the cars themselves have been made of cheaper and crappier parts. Of course they still charge you more, but they are not adding to the price as much as you’d think.
My 2017 golf alltrack SEL is much higher quality than the 2020 Tiguan, and even better than the 2024 R-Line SEL Tiguan that my parter owns. The seats for example are not even close to as comfortable as mine. 2020 was a real fall off point because of Covid and they haven’t gone back to prioritizing quality.
Oh I agree so much. I’ve had 3 VW tiguans and they’ve progrssively gotten worse in quality. (Leases an 18 ,20, and now 24) each time the lease early buy back offer worked heavily in my favor and I am no longer in a position in life where I need to lease a vehicle so this 24 will be the last lease, but honestly my last VW as well.
On the topic of those dumb lights. The dealership I was at had a “price breakdown” for features and claimed those lights ‘only’ added 5 dollars a month to the monthly payment. I mean I know car dealerships will do everything for a penny but that just set me off.
“Only” 😂😭 I hope the ‘24 serves you well for years to come! I have my car paid off in Oct and I hope to keep it until the wheels fall off and the engine blows up!
spongebue@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Ironically, the Chevy Bolt was a perfect car for that. Reasonably priced, no stupid gizmos like retracting door handles, Android Auto, actual buttons for controls… But of course GM killed it. A new version should come out eventually, but who knows if it’ll keep the spirit of their old Bolts. For now, the used market hit the sweet spot where it’s still a pretty modern car, but it’s gone through most of its depreciation from new so it’s pretty cheap. Especially with the tax credit.
Full disclosure: DC fast charging sucks on this car. On some pre-2022 models it’s non-existent. But it’s still excellent for commuting and medium-short trips!
dogslayeggs@lemmy.world 1 week ago
I freaking loved my Bolt. I was planning to get another before I started construction and needed a truck. Then I was planning to get a Bolt after this truck since I wouldn’t need it anymore, but they killed it.
spongebue@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Check out the used market! The 2022-23s had an awesome facelift, plus the EUV version is just a little bigger mostly in the back seats