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by moooo99
2343 days ago
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Disclaimer: I'm from Germany and work in the automotive industry I think he is partially right, at least when you define innovation as being mainly of digital nature. There have been lots of improvements on the mechanical side, cars have become a lot more efficient, and quieter (or louder if you prefer). But when it comes to making the cars smarter or even electric, there hasn't been a whole lot of innovation. Since connect everything is the major trend right now, people often consider innovation as being mainly digital. While digital technologies are a major infuence nowadays, the mechanical side should not be forgotten. But the German automakers seem to really struggle with software becoming a major influence in peoples car-buying decision. BMW started with its "Conntected Drive" services, but since then, they haven't made a whole lot of progress, just a lot of completely unrealistic concept cars. The same is for Mercedes, they started their MBUX project a few years ago and at first, it really looked promising. Now, when I'm sitting in my friends MBUX Mercedes, its just a infotainment system as stupid as any other one. Volkswagen made big promises with its upcoming VW I.D platform and IMHO, this is the biggest single step a German automaker took since I'm alive. |
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Every single big car brand experienced a period of very confused years (bordering panic for some of them) between 2000 and 2005 IMHO when faced the truth that the old trustable mechanics must either be replaced by mechatronica in a rush, or be overcomed and left behind by the new competitors.
Some so-so models were hurriedly launched in those years as result. Some of those soon started suffering lots of random errors and must be recalled and eventually replaced.
Cars now are computers with tires, all coated in plastic. Metal is ethernal, electronics not so much. Do not expect this soft and delicate matherials to last much more than your computer.