From the end of September, Mazda users in select markets will have to pay a fee to use certain services that were previously offered for free by the company.
Earlier, Mazda had notified users that these services would transition to a paid model in the future, and that change has now come into effect.
Specifically, from now on, users who wish to avail of Mazda’s “connected services” will have to pay a fee. This includes features such as remote engine start and the ability to pre-set the air conditioning or heating. If users do not subscribe to the paid service, they will have to manually open the car door and start the engine as usual.
Additionally, users will no longer have access to other technologies such as vehicle health monitoring, smart keys, and online vehicle status checks without a subscription.
Mazda is not alone in facing customer backlash over such “money-making” schemes; other automakers have also faced opposition from their customers for similar actions.
BMW, for instance, charged users a fee of $27.50 per month (approximately 675,000 VND) for access to adaptive suspension, while Ferrari leased its electric car batteries for a fee of $7,500 per year (roughly 184.2 million VND).
The New Mazda Logo: A Fresh Look for a Classic Brand
The Australian automotive news outlet, Drive, has uncovered an intriguing development—Mazda has filed for a trademark on a new logo. This discovery hints at a potential brand refresh or a new direction for the renowned automaker. With Mazda’s history of innovative design and engineering, this news has the industry abuzz with anticipation.