More manufacturer-dealer features that lock in owners to increase revenue

I'm sure it's coming, if they can get away with it. and they might, because most consumers don't spend times on car forums and are clueless.
plus, most gen x,y,z'ers or whatever think nothing of monthly payments.

 

I'd actually argue that these dummies are going to exclude themselves from their own market and their competitors will steal their market share by not charging monthly fees to use a car that you own. The entire concept of making people pay monthly fees to keep systems unlocked that they lawfully own, hold a legal title too and also fully insure is vile and its not going to end well for them in not just car sales, but in courts of law too!

 

agreed. that's why I say 'if they can get away with it'. if buyers have options, some will go elsewhere

 

enough buyers to make a difference?

 

It doesn't matter if you don't have enough buyers to make a difference if you get injured in a car accident and the monthly payment you decided not to pay locked you out of an essential safety feature that could have prevented your injuries... Case law has already ruled against the manufacturers being able to put monthly revenue over vehicle safety.