The change that ruined cars forever

I can’t take full credit for this observation, because Chris Harris brought it up on a recent podcast. The transition from the standardized radio head unit — always produced by an electronics manufacturer such as Alpine, Blaupunkt, et al — to bespoke, integrated infotainment systems removed an important line between car makers as focused primarily on the oily and performance bits to companies creating technology products.

On the surface this seemed ok, because aftermarket head units often looked a bit … aftermarket, and thieves could make a good profit taking them. But once car makers took over it became too tempting to integrate more functions — for example car settings for suspension, ventilation, and lighting. Moreover we became beholden to the car makers for updates, and obsolescence was inevitable.

Agree or am I missing something?

 

I will credit Porsche for offering updated PCCM head units for their Classic program, but you do have to wait a decade or two for your car to be officially categorized as a “Classic” and then you can pay $1500 for an updated unit. These are nice, but you really have no choice for the post-1998 cars.