Alex Buscemi
Jeep owners weren’t expecting to get hit with pop-up ads every time they stopped at a red light, but that’s exactly what’s been happening.
Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company, recently rolled out in-car advertisements as part of a bigger plan to rake in an extra $20 billion a year through software-based services.
The ads, which promoted extended warranty plans, showed up full-screen on infotainment systems, and let’s just say, people weren’t thrilled.
After enough complaints, Stellantis admitted there was a “temporary software glitch” that made it hard for drivers to opt out of the ads.
The company says it’s fixed the issue, but the whole thing raises bigger questions about where car tech is headed.
Automakers are looking at in-car advertising as a new way to make money, but at what cost?
While software subscriptions and ads might be the future of driving, it’s clear that people aren’t exactly excited about their cars turning into rolling billboards.
Here are the top reactions on Twitter.
1. Some Twitter user predicted a future in which cars are sold with ads at the standard price or ads-free for a markup
2. Some saw an opportunity for the idea to work
3. Though most saw the move as dystopian and say they will never buy a car that blasts you with pop-up ads
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8. Many feared this is just the first step and envisioned a future where one needs to watch an ad to even start their vehicle
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