BMW has made buyers pay for the privilege to connect their phones to its already-outrageously-priced luxury vehicles since 2016 in Canada, it just started the practice this past July but now the automakers reversing its decision to allow a better customer experience.For the 2019 model year, BMW was asking Canadian buyers for $100 per year for Apple CarPlay, unless they wanted to opt for a 20-year subscription for $400. After just a few months, that price has been dropped back down to free.BMW is always looking to satisfy our customers needs and this policy change is intended to provide them with a better ownership experience, a BMW spokesperson said to Autocar.In the U.S., the decision to charge users a one-time $300 fee and then a subsequent $80-per-year subscription fee was definitely a head-scratcher, considering every other manufacturer offers the connectivity service for free on most standard models. The fees were likely implemented to make buyers similarly scratch their heads, and step up to the next-highest trim level BMW, which offered full satellite infotainment and navigation for only a few dollars more.CarPlay doesnt cost automakers any extra money, according to Apple, but it does cost money to implement the system into vehicles, one likely eaten by manufacturers who offer the service without charger unless youre BMW.While automakers have been trying to keep phone companies away from their vehicles for years, believing they could offer a better system themselves, more and more companies are now caving to consumers who prefer their phone
Origin: BMW decides to offer Apple CarPlay for free after all