Toyota has apparently entered the automotive subscription world with a new feature that ties the remote start functionality on drivers’ key fobs to a larger subscription package.
As The Drive reported on Tuesday (Dec. 14), the automaker says that if a 2018 or later Toyota is outfitted with Remote Connection functions, that vehicle must be enrolled in a subscription in order for the remote start function to work.
This function allows drivers to start their car from a distance. For example, if you’re leaving for work on a 2-degree day and don’t feel like walking out to a cold car, remote start lets you fire up your engine from the warmth of your kitchen using radio waves to connect to the car.
However, this function will no longer work without the broader Remote Connect subscription, which the Drive points out may be the first of its kind to charge for full use of a key fob ($8 per month or $80 for the year).
Customers purchasing a new Toyota get the option of receiving a trial of Toyota’s Connected Services, which can include things like roadside assistance, hotspot connectivity, remote unlocking and starting. The length of the trial depends on the car in question, and it may not always be clear to drivers that the use of the fob is tied to a trial.
Read more: Tesla’s Latest Boost and Automotive Subscriptions’ Shifting Future
This year hasn’t always offered a smooth road for automotive subscription services. For example, luxury carmakers BMW and Audi – both of which announced subscription programs in 2018 – said earlier this year they were suspending those services.
Tesla launched its own subscription plan in July, giving consumers the option to buy the carmaker’s Full Self-Driving package, which includes numerous features for self-driving cars, including navigating on autopilot and auto-park, along with a full self-driving computer and traffic light and stop control.
We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to partner with innovators and disruptors.
Learn More