Mercedes sells EQ models with power derating in the US
Newly triggered by BMW’s move to hide seat heating behind a monthly subscription, subscription models in cars have been the subject of heated debate for months. Consumer advocates have a clear opinion: if built-in functions are subsequently blocked, this is a worrying development for consumers. According to the companies, whoever buys their vehicle will not automatically acquire all functions in the future. So now also the procedure of Mercedes in the USA
How future zone reports, the company offers for its electric models of the EQ series according to its own presentation in the online shop a new “feature” for which you have to pay extra. If you want to benefit from the “on-demand upgrade” for “acceleration increase”, you have to pay 60 dollars a month for EQE models and 90 dollars a month in the EQS class – for vehicles with purchase prices from 75,000 and up $104,000. Anyone who pays annually gets a discount, for a one-time payment of 1950 or 2950 US dollars the “function” is unlocked forever.
Infographic range: BMW and Mercedes clearly overtake Tesla
As critics note, the marketing and presentation of Mercedes can also be viewed as distorted from the consumer’s perspective. The group does not offer any new features here that were not previously available in the vehicle, but only removes software-induced limitations on the engine’s performance capacity for a fee. For buyers of the vehicles, this means: Without a subscription, the performance is around 20 to 24 percent lower.
All of these considerations could perhaps make sense for buyers under certain circumstances if significantly lower vehicle prices were subsidized as a result. However, this development is currently not apparent. In addition to Mercedes, many other large manufacturers such as Tesla and, as mentioned, BMW are also trying out similar models. It remains to be seen whether the cancellation of the power throttling of the EQ models, which is sold as a subscription function, will also make it to Europe.
- Mercedes is offering a new subscription model for its EQ series in the USA.
- With the subscription, customers can unlock the full power of the engine.
- Without a subscription, performance is reduced by 20-24%.
- Other manufacturers such as Tesla and BMW are also trying out subscription models.
- Consumer advocates view this development as worrying.
- It is unclear whether the Mercedes model will also come to Europe.
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