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Comment by constantcrying | Hacker News Reader

Customers demand Software upgrades.

>Let the dealers upgrade

And every single customer will hate you for this.

Customers do NOT demand firmware updates. Customers demand reliability, they may demand FAST resolution for an issue but that doesnt translate to demand for forced OTA updates.

Actually my customers are customers BECAUSE I shun the internet.

Which customers? I definitely do not demand software upgrades on any of my vehicles and in fact if I could easily pin a certain version and upgrade only after seeing the changelog or diff that would be best.

No customers demanded this. Tesla did it because it means they don't have to verify their software to as high quality (and because they want to use their user base as beta testers).

I don't think anyone wants software upgrades to require a dealer but that's not the sane alternative.

There is no reason they couldn't offer a way to firmware upgrades through customers too if they actually cared. But most upgrades to any firmware should already be essentially "done" within the dealer service window.

If worked fine in the em early 2000 for cars with service plans or recalls.

But they only did like 3-4 upgrades total while the model was still being produced.

(Bmw experience)

This. if you can update is by software it becomes a dynamic characteristic.

If Honda could have OTA updated 90s Integras or late 90s model Accords they would closed open programming ports on PCM modules that actually added to the value of those vehicles (see HONDATA and HONDASPEED OBD2 and other programmers that unlock the entire engine behavior profile and still work on some modern vehicles)

>If worked fine in the em early 2000 for cars with service plans or recalls.

If you are telling customers today that their car will not receive updates or that the only way to receive updates is with an appointment at a dealership, they will not buy your car.

It is not the early 2000s anymore, customers expect and want software support for their vehicles.

You've been drinking too much corporate coolaid. Zero percent of consumers care about having forced OTA updates. They want their vehicle to turn on, go, stop, and stream music from their personal tracking device.

Next you'll tell me co-pilot is the best part of office 365

In the context, it would take an ignorant consumer to choose a vehicle that could lose engine, steering, and braking - and complete bricking - while at highway speed, over a dealer appointment that's included in your maintenance program.

Frankly, this incident seems like an active nhsta would regulate away ota updates on its own. The best interpretation is that this single update is worse than the failed keyed ignition issues that led to push to start regulation.

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