What is it with Germans and their fixation on control? Here’s the latest from their foremost corporate branch of Control Freaks International:
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA and the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC are the automaker’s first truly software-defined vehicles, meaning they have the brains and chips for virtually everything on the car that’s controlled by software to be updated over-the-air. They have the new Mercedes-Benz operating system, known as MBOS, as well as fourth-generation MBUX infotainment systems with fancy touchscreens, all developed in-house. The new MBOS represents a paradigm shift, says Ola Källenius, chairman and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, with 100 percent of the car reachable via over-the-air updates. Now, cars come in with an empty electronic control unit (ECU) and then Mercedes loads [the software] into it as part of the production process, he adds. In the past, the ECU came from a supplier with the software already pre-loaded. Not anymore. Mercedes wanted an end-to-end software package it created itself.
Am I the only one who is getting chills from this little exercise as described? Here’s why I’m both apprehensive and white-hot angry.
“It’s the gift that keeps on giving, with 100 percent of the car reachable via over-the-air updates.”
And those “updates” would include “shut-downs”, all at the behest of MBOS — and if you don’t believe they would, you haven’t been paying attention to the recent history of Germany.
Also, remember that “the gift that keeps on giving” refers to the gift to Mercedes, and not to its customer.
Finally, if you think that these “updates” will remain free forevermore, you really haven’t been paying attention to the history of technology companies — and Mercedes is increasingly becoming more about technology than about engineering. Which means that at some point, the design of the updates will be left to A.I.
How nice.
Funny, that: the GLA 250 was always on my list of potential future car purchases. Not anymore. I wouldn’t accept one as a gift, because of what I’d be giving up to Mercedes: my freedom and indepence.
Never liked Mercedes. Especially don’t like them now.
Sadly many vehicles will move in this direction.
Now I am not suggesting anyone do anything to violate laws, however if you purchase a vehicle with heated seats that requires a monthly or yearly wallet lightning subscription to continue to use the heated seats, what if someone were to hack the vehicle and turn off the need to have a subscription to keep your ass warm in the winter. Many other features and creature comforts as well might be like this.
The scofflaws or rather underground mechanics could make a small fortune doing this work.
I assume you also won’t want to get these pieces of shit serviced at the dealer either. Any hacks and non conforming software or hardware found will likely either be removed and erased or void your already mostly useless new vehicle warranty as most dealers today hire some of the shittiest and most dishonest people on the planet.
Fuck this shit. Cant we just have someone simple vehicles again?
Your post about peak car a little while ago comes to mind when I read the bullshit from today’s post about auto manufacturers who want to rape consumers wallets for substandard vehicles that are unreliable and ugly as sin.
Don’t even get me started on the big brother aspect of these vehicles.
Smartphones are a needed evil. A vehicle that spies on you is not.
I’ll drive old junk before I buy some bullshit like this Mercedes.
Amen. I plan on making my ‘02 F-150 (aka the Luddite Express) and my recently purchased Polaris Slingshot last until I’m physically unable to drive anymore.
subscription services are fine for magazines and newspapers but should not be applied to software that affects any hardware, computers, cars etc.
Well, there is your problem right up front. Put a Finlander kraut in charge of anything German and you get Ola Källenius sinking the ship. Have owned two Benz, sold the ’95 and kept the ’64. Nothing modern from them ever and even less interest now.
Windows 10 is end of life and support for it ends this year. Microsoft is coercing everyone to upgrade lest their computer become a magnet for hackers and thieves. If your computer won’t support Windows 11, then you’re expected to purchase a new one.
Now imagine your $150,000 Mercedes is end of life.
Ve haf veys to make you conform to our vishes.
“Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.”
Talk to the owners of some of the newer John Deere ‘implements’.
Owners are not happy – you cannot service, repair or maintain your
giant, EXPENSIVE, necessary to earn a living farm implement.
‘I’m sorry that your combine won’t start. You’ll need to bring it in so
we can determine the problem is !!’
‘WHAT ?? do you know what it costs to haul that thing 150 MILES EACH WAY to
say nothing of the work that I lose while it is being ‘fixed’. Can’t you send someone to me ??’
‘Nope. you have to come to us’ click.
Not sure if it’s still ‘this bad’. May be worse now but you get the idea.
This is gonna get worse, a LOT WORSE, before is gets better – if that ever happens !
Given where EU laws and regulations pertaining to cars and the government being able to remotely disable and otherwise control them are going, it won’t be long that no car can be sold in the EU without such a capability.