Built-in Obsolescence in New Cars

[Bill G]

I just read an article in the Hagerty Insurance membership newsletter (unfortunately I can’t link the story) regarding the lifespan of new cars. It’s talking, of course, about all brands and vehicles become “classics”, but the interesting part for us is the planned obsolescence of new cars.
Our cars will probably only be viable for 10-12 years, not because of mechanical failures or parts availability, but because the computers/software that run everything will be so dated that they won’t be supported for updates or have parts for repair — sort of like our cell phones.
If you can get to read the article (know someone with Hagerty Classic Insurance) it is quite interesting.
fortunately, for me, I don’t figure I’ll be here or a least not driving in 2036 <lmao>

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[Dude]

Yep I do think about the software obsolesce in vehicles and I did research when Sync 3 will go obsolete

… and more than once have had to migrate older technology to newer

Think about what’s on your USB Drives, those likely will go obsolete in our lifetimes

Microsoft Outlook .pst email folders were deprecated for awhile (Microsoft received so much flack on this - Windows 11 has gained partial support already and full support should return later in 2025)

Floppy disks 3.5” (used 8” at my first job and had 5.25” & 3.5” disks at home), if you have any 3.5” you probably no longer have a device to access them

Garmin watches with Heart Rate Broadcast to your bike computer - older ANT+ still supported for how long? Now is Bluetooth but that will go obsolete someday

And countless updates to Windows Excel and Word versions means older files have compatibility issues

Anyone used FrameMaker? I have lots of files I can no longer read but are not worth my effort to get a translator program

Too many others to list

 

[rocks]

I read here that there probably won't be any more Sync 3 updates.

 

[wiyeti]

I agree cars are built for shorter lifespans these days, but if the software is no longer supported, can't you just drive on the latest version and you won't have the bells and whistles? Parts I understand, but software? Or am I missing something?

Kinda makes me think of my college roommate with the 8-track player in the dash.

 

[CancunBadlands]

I agree cars won't last

 

[Warped9]

Everything has a shelf life, and thats long been true.

I read over a parallel discussion recently over on MacRumors where someone felt Apple should support their devices, software wise, more than 7-8 years. They felt they should be supported for more like ten years. Then there is the issue making some people nervous that Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 sometime this year I believe.

No longer supporting a software simply means they won’t be issuing any further updates. It doesn’t mean your software will simply stop running. I had a 2011 iMac I upgraded over the years and kept using perfectly well for thirteen years even though the last five I could no longer update the OS (operating system). The computer ran perfectly fine for everything I wanted from it. The one small hiccup was the Safari browser would not be accepted by some websites anymore—no problem because I had my iPad if I wanted to go to those websites.

But a car isn’t quite the same as your home computer. A car is a more self-contained setup. The only real issue might be if you could no longer get navigation updates. Or if you could no longer connect to your phone or GPS, if that matters to you.

There are a lot of cars on the road with engine management computers that are running perfectly fine even after more than twenty years.

So I think what we’re really talking about here is the infotainment system, and how much of it is dependent on connectivity outside of the vehicle? Do you need it connect to internet? As long as it can connect to your phone you can have internet.

As was mentioned upthread even if the system is no longer getting updates it should function as is unless something goes wrong.

The notion older cars were “built to last” isn’t really true in the bigger picture. They were built of heavier materials and much simpler mechanics with fewer parts. But they started rusting out not long after purchase no matter how well you tried to take car of it. Not all parts were well made and some were prone to failure. Chryslers were notorious for not starting in damp or wet weather.

Cars today are made more corrosion resistant. They go 100,000 km. (60,000 plus miles) without a tuneup. Flat tires are a lot more rare than the old days. They come standard with multi-year warranties from the factory. Companies recall vehicles and address issues rather than leaving you totally sol. No, they’re not perfect and still require maintenance, but anyone old enough should remember that car ownership way back in the day was no picnic.

Cars are unquestionably more complex today and there is a case to be made that some of it is totally unnecessary.

Some people manage to keep old computers going long after their shelf life. I imagine people will find ways to keep their cars going long after the market has moved on to something else.

 

[Mark S.]

There's a lot of FUD surrounding the issue of automotive longevity and durability. What does the data say?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelharley/2023/06/11/why-do-todays-cars-last-longer-than-they-used-to/

One thing not mentioned: While it's true that manufacturers may no longer offer software updates after a period of time, how many miles did that no-longer-supported-vehicle accrue in ten years? People drive their cars FAR more than they did in the past. Based on average miles driven per year, a ten-year-old car will have nearly 150k on the odometer.

https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/average-miles-driven-per-year/

 

[Glamdring70]

Remember the "chip shortage" during Covid? The reason car builders stated that recovery would take so long is because a car has a more robust type of chip in order to resist damage from typical use. Instead of dealing with shortages, a lot of the industry opted to accept cuts in quality or re-engineer stuff with inferior manufacturing standards.

 

[Adam CW]

I looked at a Ford Escape ST Elite (2.0/AWD) yesterday and was disappointed with the quality. MSRP was just under $42k yet it was full of cheap, nasty plastics, some of which didn’t fit together correctly, and had many general fit and finish issues.

Quality of new vehicles is bad. I’m not sure it’s just Ford cutting costs. I think the UAW workers are a big problem as well. It looks like they don’t care about the most basic things like making sure panels and doors are aligned and flush.

 

[jkernitzki]

I looked at a Ford Escape ST Elite (2.0/AWD) yesterday and was disappointed with the quality. MSRP was just under $42k yet it was full of cheap, nasty plastics, some of which didn’t fit together correctly, and had many general fit and finish issues.

Quality of new vehicles is bad. I’m not sure it’s just Ford cutting costs. I think the UAW workers are a big problem as well. It looks like they don’t care about the most basic things like making sure panels and doors are aligned and flush.

Hermosillo isn't a UAW plant. They are, however, unionized under SINTRAFORD.

 

[Dude]

Hermosillo isn't a UAW plant. They are, however, unionized under SINTRAFORD.

Wasn’t the prior post about the $42k Ford Escape ST Elite (2.0/AWD) proudly made in Louisville, Kentucky?

Of course Bronco Sports and mavericks are made in Hermosillo Mexico

 

[jkernitzki]

Wasn’t the prior post about the $42k Ford Escape ST Elite (2.0/AWD) proudly made in Louisville, Kentucky?

Of course Bronco Sports and mavericks are made in Hermosillo Mexico

You are correct. I mistakenly thought all the C2 platform cars were from the same plant.

 

[NMhunter]

My first car was a '47 Chevy. I don't miss it. It had to be tuned up every few months, the brakes had to be bled every few weeks, the shock absorbers used a lever system that came apart on me on the freeway. The engine needed rebuilding at about 50,000 miles. I was pushing it down the street trying to push start it when a garbage truck pulled up next to me and asked me how much I wanted for it. I sold it for $100.

All that said, the metal dash was still in good shape after 20 years, and the visors still worked fine. It had 16" wheels, so we used in the mountains with no issues.

I like modern cars, but I could do with a lot less electronics.

 

[Warped9]

Some years ago my father was talking with some neighbours. The subject of cars came up wherein someone said the inevitable, “They don’t build ‘em like they used to.”

My father replied, “Thank God for that. Do you remember what those cars were really like?”


It’s nice to look at well restored old cars and reminisce about them and when their kind was the norm. But at the time no one thought there was anything really special about them because they were everywhere. Now they’re rare and cast a rosy glow on the past.

Make no mistake their were good things back then, too. My Dad had a ‘59 Ford Custom 300 sedan that would not die. I had a ‘79 Volkswagen Rabbit 2dr. with 4spd. manual that was fantastic to drive and seemingly unstoppable in snow. But, in fairness, we were seeing it by different standards than today. The bar of expectations was probably lower.

 

[davidg4781]

I don't think the computers will be a future issue unless they short out and there are no replacements. But that can happen with physical parts, too.

I have an iPhone 11 Pro. I used it via a bluetooth add on with my 2006 Accord (could've gone back to 2003 MY or maybe further). My 2023 BS has Apple CarPlay which is still running fine on my 6 year old phone. The way iPhones are built, I really don't see a compatibility issue over the next 10 to 15 years. There will be an adaptor to connect whatever to USB-C. CarPlay will be around and if not, Bluetooth will surely be.

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