That's definitely one more reason why I hope the automotive industry starts to follow in Teslas footsteps one of these days. (Since the Model S gets over-the-air software updates pushed to it automatically.)

 

I really hope this doesnt come to main stream manufacturers any time soon.

You've just got to look at the number of problems with OTA updates for mobile phones as an example.

 

My Google tablet had a OTA update recently & is now completely unuseable & there is no way to go back to the previous version.

Imagine the same with your car...

 

The safest & correct way in my opinion is that users are given necessary software updates during a service/dealer visit free of charge.

 

It seems to me that everyone is obsessed these days with "software updates".

I much prefer the "if it aint broke, don't fix it" route...

I really hope this doesnt come to main stream manufacturers any time soon.

You've just got to look at the number of problems with OTA updates for mobile phones as an example.

My Google tablet had a OTA update recently & is now completely unuseable & there is no way to go back to the previous version.

Imagine the same with your car...

The safest & correct way in my opinion is that users are given necessary software updates during a service/dealer visit free of charge.

It seems to me that everyone is obsessed these days with "software updates".

I much prefer the "if it aint broke, don't fix it" route...

I must admit I would be a bit unsure too as my nexus 10 tablet is also useless at the moment since it went to lollipop. The updates on the car shouldnt kill it though

My Google tablet had a OTA update recently & is now completely unuseable & there is no way to go back to the previous version.

 

A bit OT, but have you tried rooting it and loading up an earlier Android version?

I must admit I would be a bit unsure too as my nexus 10 tablet is also useless at the moment since it went to lollipop. The updates on the car shouldnt kill it though

Naturally car manufacturers have to do a bit more beta testing before pushing out a release.

 

And Tesla seems to have a pretty good track record so far; I haven't heard of bricked cars...and I'm sure they'd take are of it pretty quickly if they did. I've read of cases where they have remotely discovered a problem on a car, and called the customer if it's ok if they bring out a replacement next morning and take their car in for servicing. (And then turned the car fully cleaned and with a full charge...they've even vacuumed the company logo in the trunk liner...now that's customer service right there.)

Perhaps the use of the term recall maybe a little misplaced but I just had a phone call from my dealer saying my car has been recalled for a software update. When I asked what it was about, the answer was "oh its just a software update that will take about an hour".

 

Will this be just a routine update or is it safety critical?

 

Anyone else been asked to bring their car in specifically for a software update recently?

Mine had this about a month ago and was only mentioned when I dropped the car in for its routine service. I was told it was not serious enough to warrant pulling the car in specifically to sort it.

It took longer than an hour though, the software upload was slower than anticipated.

While it was in, they also addressed the other recall and changed all the steering column stalks!!!

Obviously contacting of individual customers isn't practical, BUT a minimum should be a system where an individual should be able to see if there is anything showing against their VIN (like the radio link on here).

How hard would it be to set up a system where customers can periodically check their car against a database?....assuming the database is up to date. The infrastructure is probably already there, just needs a way for limited external user access. You only need to look at the number of members on here to see the appetite for owners asking questions about the cars.

 

You mentioned critical issues being handled by dealer network, being a Skoda owner now for 13 years (and without being disrespectful to dealer network).......I wouldn't trust this current system.

A bit like the Toyota system, put your reg or VIN number in to check your vehicle for recalls

 

http://www.toyota.co.uk/owners-info/recall-checker

Rang my local dealer to see if there is an update and they said there isn't a campaign on the system, but they would need to plug the car into the system to check it. The bad news is their fully booked this week and as of Friday night their no longer a skoda dealer, grrrr

From my limited knowledge, I think it shouldn't be too difficult to do. I'm sure Skoda have thought about it at some point. Their business managers will also have asked the question, "what's in it for us? Will the investment in time, people and money give us some cash return". If the only benefit for them happens to be, "making a few enthusiasts on Briskodia happy", then the idea will get booted out.

 

Companies are there to make money. Sometimes they even manage to show an interest in "customer satisfaction", but only if the result of that satisfaction is making more money. The prime purpose of a corporation isn't to stroke the hair of the customer (hairdressers and Indian head massages excepted ), or make them feel valued or loved, or to bull up their ego, or the make them "feel like a king" as Keith quoted above. These things might happen along the way but the main aim is making money    I'm not saying I agree with the hard-nosed way of doing business but it is certainly the main explanation for any one of a million different grumbles that customers might have about cars (be it product- or service-related)

Burying issues under the carpet really isn't the best customer care method either, especially when cars are within warranty.

In the years I have been with the brand, it's amazing the blank looks I have got from the dealer network when a common issue across the pond is brought to their attention. Also look at the number of times people come on here with common issues AFTER going to their dealer.  

With the level of software in cars and the quick time to market there is no way all software bugs have been ironed out. Even if people can't do the update themselves at least give them the opportunity to see what updates are available.

 

 

"what's in it for us" - a happy and returning customer

"Companies are there to make money." - In 14 years I have purchased x3 new Skodas, each of which has been serviced within the dealer network.........so they have made their money.

A bit like the Toyota system, put your reg or VIN number in to check your vehicle for recalls

 

http://www.toyota.co.uk/owners-info/recall-checker

Exactly

"what's in it for us" - a happy and returning customer

"Companies are there to make money." - In 14 years I have purchased x3 new Skodas, each of which has been serviced within the dealer network.........so they have made their money.

 

 

Maybe you've indirectly proved the point   You're annoyed that Skoda continually fail to "at least give them the opportunity to see what updates are available.". But you've still bought three cars from them. Maybe Skoda think there's little point investing time and money in "communicating updates", because the lack of such a service doesn't have much impact on their sales figures.

My 2011 BMW 135i had OTA updates to iDrive via the built in GSM module. Plus it could do a load of other stuff online (could even lock/unlock it from my phone!).

My last and current Audi also have GSM/3G SIMs in them - but no OTA update capability. Just fancy Google Earth and other online stuff. But the tech is already out there on mainstream vehicles to allow OTA updates (not just Tesla - I am seriously thinking the new Model X might be my next car though!).

Skoda are 1 step behind in this area for sure, and I miss having no internet on Columbus!

It is clear OTA updates are coming and I for one look forward to it. I have an annoying bug at the moment whereby after the parking sensors have been used, you have to do a Jedi Knight wave to get the screen to hide the touch buttons on the Nav again. Not critical for sure, barely worth taking it to the dealer for an update, but if a patch became available OTA it would be nice! And it sure would save the strain of dealers having to apply them (which they clearly try to avoid already).

As for bricking your car; TVs, Blurays, Consoles, phones etc all get OTA updates these days. It's not hard to build failsafes in, and rollbacks. And even if an update goes REALLY wrong, the small percentage that will require dealer intervention still far outweighs the time they will have saved in dealers having to apply all updates as they do now.

Not to mention the realtime feedback they could harvest from your usage of the software, I'm sure you've all seen the pop up box on your PC stating the program in question will send anonymous data back to the developer, "Do you want to participate in the customer improvement program?" - count on all cars doing that at the same time OTA updates arrive (though likely with no opt out - if you want OTA updates enabled the terms will be the car sends feedback).

If it's anything like the existing BMW system it will be free for 3 years and then £120/year after that...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 (not just Tesla - I am seriously thinking the new Model X might be my next car though!)

I'm waiting for the Model ≡, though the Model S 85D is tempting...just too big and expensive...

Maybe you've indirectly proved the point   You're annoyed that Skoda continually fail to "at least give them the opportunity to see what updates are available.". But you've still bought three cars from them. Maybe Skoda think there's little point investing time and money in "communicating updates", because the lack of such a service doesn't have much impact on their sales figures.

Not really, I have been able to stay on top of quality issues with places like Briskoda, at times knowing more information than their dealer network.

 

Do I think other manufactures are better, to be honest no. Skoda cars tick the cost box for me and as much as it's been a headache I have managed to get any issues that I have found resolved.

 

In a world where Manufacturers are trying to out do each other then they will have to start thinking outside the box in terms of attracting customers... there is only so far they can go with cost, speed, gizmos.....there is a lot of improvement that can be made from a QA process.

I have been booked in for a recall on Monday, the code is 48L3 whatever that means. Looking forward to my first experience of a Skoda dealer as an owner, hope the coffee is good while I wait!