Most modern cars come with infotainment systems. These control a variety of functions, including the radio, calls, navigation and more.
It was only a matter of time before some car manufacturers started to play with the idea of displaying ads on those screens to their customers to increase their profit margin.
Stellantis, the fourth-largest manufacturer of cars, owns brands such as Jeep, Fiat, Maserati, Opel, Peugot, or Chrysler. It seems that someone at Stellantis must have that idea of displaying ads to customers, as owners of Jeeps are now flocking to social media to report that their car’s infotainment system is pestering them with ads.
Here is what happens: ds are displayed whenever the car stops. They display on the screen and may be closed with a tap on the close icon. Problem is, there does not appear to be a setting to disable the display of ads entirely.
This means that, whenever an affected owner stops at a red light, an ad is shown. Drivers who want to look a the navigational map or make changes to the radio cannot, unless they close the ad first.
The ad, interestingly named “Purchase Peace of Mind”, is always shown. There is no variance, and there is no option to get rid of it by saying “no”. The reason for that is simple: the ad uses dark patterns. There is no “I do not want to, please do not bother me again” option.
The response would probably be better if Stellantis would sell an adblocker called “Peace of Mind” to its customers.
You can only close it, only to see the exact same thing again on the next stop of the car. Talk about frustrating experiences.
Here is a video in which the issue is discussed in detail:
This development may lead to the rise of adblockers for cars or specialized services that block ads in cars or disable online connectivity.
What is your take on this? Would you buy a car that had an infotainment system with these kind of ads? Feel free to leave a comment down below.
I have long ago vowed that my next new car will be a ’56 Chevy.
Hilarious. I bet people will just stop using infotainment systems for maps/music/text/calls and switch back to phone. Just set whatever you need to set before you start the trip and use the phone for the rest of the way. That how it used to be, and we will come to complete circle. However, if ads become voice instead of text, I see people taping off sound columns and that could cause some risk as sound system also sounds certain alarms.
I would not buy this automobile or any automobile that had this or anything like it
You do not, but I bet they will activate ad system few days after sale. This way you can not return it. Ads are also baked everywhere. Whatever tech you are using, they are planning to introduce ads in that.