BMW Speed Trap Warning Service requires payment to avoid tickets

BMW Speed Trap Warning Service requires payment to avoid tickets

Don’t rush, save your money

Subscription services are becoming increasingly popular and automakers are keen to get a slice of the recurring revenue pie. BMW tried to charge customers a yearly subscription fee for Apple CarPlay, but was unsuccessful. has since dropped the Traffic Camera Information subscription. This service provides drivers with alerts about speed cameras, radar detectors and red-light cameras. BMW offers a 3-month free trial for select 2021 models. However, the $25 per-year fee will be charged. Automotive News states that the system combines the location data from fixed and mobile traffic cameras with radar detector data to warn drivers of potential speed traps. BMW’s ConnectedDrive technology suite includes the TCI service, as well as a concierge service. Although the system sounds similar to Google’s Wave app, it relies on smartphone users to find speed trap locations. This may not always prove reliable.

Subscriptions are a fascinating intersection between the automotive and consumer technology industries. Netflix, Spotify and Audible have all made it popular to pay a monthly subscription fee for access to their services. Automakers have also tried this approach before. Cadillac’s semi-autonomous Super Cruise semi-self driving technology will be offered for a monthly fee. BMW discovered that you cannot turn everything into a monthly fee, even if it’s offering something else for free, with Apple CarPlay.

BMW required that customers pay $80 to subscribe to Apple CarPlay for 12 months or $300 for a 240-month subscription (20 years). The company decided to change course and removed the fee from all 2019 and 2020 models. As technology and cars continue to blur, automakers may look at monetizing additional features, such as infotainment software updates and luxury amenities.