why manufacturers deliver more and more unsuccessful cars to customers

With the advent of vehicles defined by the software, we have seen some issues that were still very rare in the automotive universe. Furthermore, Indeed. Similarly, several manufacturers, and not only Chinese contrary to what one could imply, deliver cars which do not have all their functionalities.

If it may seem surprising. Consequently, but not necessarily disturbing in absolute terms if these are not essential for driving, some models are victims of exasperating bugs. Furthermore, And when why manufacturers deliver more more these same bugs also affect driving aids, it can even become dangerous. Meanwhile, But how did we get there?

The advent of the electric car has generally redefined the automotive industry fairly largely. Furthermore, This new energy, correlated with technological advances inherent in the sector, has hatched several interesting new features.

SDVs: iphone on wheels

This is the case. for example, Vehicles defined by softwarethe famous SDVs in the jargon to « Software-Defined Vehicle ». Consequently, Given the fact that the electric car. In addition, to be completely relevant, must be thought of around a specific architecture (even if Stellantis proves that multi-energy platforms are not necessarily bad either), some manufacturers have benefited from this “reset to zero” rethink the way of designing a car.

This is why many of them are now developing Software-Defined Vehicle whose features are mainly managed by software. Therefore, with centralized architecture allowing frequent and remote why manufacturers deliver more more updates.

Unlike conventional cars, SDVs are designed to evolve after their circulation, both on the ergonomic, functional and safe levels. Therefore, In other words, We may have the right to longer life cycles.

When these generally revolve around three years for a restyling. Additionally, Therefore, seven years for a new generation, thanks to SDVs, life cycles could become longer. Furthermore, This is the case, for example, of the Tesla Model S. Consequently, In 2025. However, the American electric sedan is still in the catalog and, thanks to numerous updates, are still rather relevant despite his 12 years of career Faced with more recent competition such as the German trio BMW i5, Audi A6 e-tron and other Mercedes Eqe.

The problem is that if the why manufacturers deliver more more SDV seems to be under control in certain manufacturers, as with Tesla in particular, other brands encounter more difficulties. Nevertheless, To the point of Delivered cars not finished who will be “Updates later”especially for certain features called “accessories”. Meanwhile, in other words which are not essential for driving.

And especially do not think that these vehicles are an exception. However, because many manufacturers are affected, from the general practitioner to the premium, even Europeans!

What are the manufacturers in difficulty?

Even if the manufacturers introduce advanced electronic architectures, they struggle to deliver stable software in time. Consequently, And there are many examples.

General Motors is undoubtedly the most symptomatic with its VIP platform (for Vehicle Intelligence Platform) which uses a CAN (very widespread universe). Consequently, Ethernet data bus mixture to activate functions such as the super cruise (hand -free driving) and allow remote updates. Similarly, But this platform ruined why manufacturers deliver more more the launch of Hummer EV, Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazer EV, All undermined by software bugs.

In Europe, Volvo alone crystallizes the complexity of this kind of platform. Furthermore, The ex30 and ex90 are “real” SDV with a central calculator, a simplified electrical architecture and software designed to evolve. But their production was a nightmare: delays, bugs, missing functions. However, these vehicles are available for sale and Volvo promises updates to repair these bugs. Some have already been settled, others remain unanswered.

Read also:
100. 000 Volvo Ex30 in 10 months: despite the bugs, the electric SUV is sold very well

On the Volvo Ex30 for example, at launch, Carplay was not available. It took several months to finally arrive. why manufacturers deliver more more Some users have also noted problems with remote updates (OTA for Over-The-Air). If they are supposed to facilitate the evolution of the vehicle over time. their deployment has proven complex and have forced certain customers to move to the dealer to solve the problem.

Volvo Ex30 // Source: Volvo

Volvo Ex90

The famous digital key promised by Volvo also took a long time to arrive. while certain OTA updates added problems, such as activation of the cut brake … FM radio.

Worse still for Volvo with its high -end electric SUV, the ex90. Displayed at a basic price close to 90,000 euros, the car should be flawless, but this is obviously not the case.

In a recent report. the American independent body Consumer Reportsequivalent more or less to 60 million consumers or the UFC-Que Choosing in France, noted “An extraordinary number of bugs”.

Without citing them all. they notably noted the central screen, essential for vehicle orders, which died randomly, notably blocking ventilation control. Starting why manufacturers deliver more more the vehicle was sometimes impossible for several minutes with a waiting message on the dashboard. Another worrying point: the airbag light had turned on for a week. and the SOS system remained inoperative until a distance update.

A software correction was proposed by the brand, but again, the results are disappointing. If some problems like the Airbag alert have disappeared. others have arisen: audio via Bluetooth and the radio have become unusable, while error messages continued to appear without reason. Volvo encounters serious problems stabilizing your system.

Beyond the bugs, the lack of features promised to purchase clearly tastes. For example. the LIDAR sensor integrated into the ex90 and supposed to open the way for autonomous driving functions, only serves “Collect data” without any concrete use why manufacturers deliver more more for the user. A good example to pay not to have anything.

At Ford, we preferred to backtrack. The brand’s FNV4 project was to be a great progress. intended for vehicles like a new electric SUV seven places in the United States, but canceled in 2024. The software part was simply not ready. From now on. certain innovations of the FNV4 project will be integrated into the already existing and rather stable FNV3 architecture.

And how not to talk about Volkswagen? The German group, for its part, has bet a lot on its software subsidiary CARIAD. Despite promising beginnings and a big budget, It was a disaster. Several restructuring attempts have failed. Today, Volkswagen subcontracted to Mobileye, Chinese partners and Rivian.

Even if the problems seem to have disappeared on the latest productions of the brand that we have been able to take charge recently. we remember very big why manufacturers deliver more more difficulties when the Volkswagen ID.3 or even the Skoda Eyaq, especially for the infodivement.

Volkswagen nevertheless seems to go in the right direction via the partnership with Rivian which will bring at least one zonal architecture. a new way of organizing the electronics of SDVs. The little ID.2 will be the first to benefit from the know-how of the American manufacturer in the matter.

Why manufacturers deliver more more

Are the others more advanced?

Most are still a few years old to offer real SDVs. Stellantis advances cautiously with his Stla Brain project. BMW promises a technological leap with its Neue Klasse. Mercedes will launch its SDV platform with the new CLA. which we have recently been able to take charge and which, at first glance, rather successful even if there were some disappointments in relation to what was announced beforehand.

Curiously, Japanese and Korean manufacturers are late. Hyundai. Kia are progressing, but their products seem to have a generation of delay on those of competition and two on Tesla. Toyota has internalized a large part of its software development in the United States. but remains far from a real SDV. Honda. still very « old school »promises that its future “series 0” models will integrate an SDV platform with intelligent assistant and AI.

All these projects will probably have a difficult start. Because even with big means, the transition is not simple. Tesla. Rivian and Chinese brands have proven that a real SDV completely changes the user experienceeven if they had difficult beginnings. Among Chinese manufacturers. the specialty, it was a time (and even today on certain models at Xpeng or MG), it was to deliver cars why manufacturers deliver more more not really finished.

We had it bitter experience during the first MG4 trials, where the ADAS were dangerous on the highway. Fortunately, an update quickly came to correct the problem.

Same thing at Byd with the first trials of the dolphin. where the ADASs did absolutely anything and where the car gave big steering wheel when you were a little too close to a white line, especially because of a very poorly calibrated line crossing alert. Problem, moreover, has since.

At Xpeng, some models are delivered with missing functions or approximate translations and which will arrive later via remote updates.

Why manufacturers deliver more more

But why is it so difficult to develop?

With an external eye. one can obviously wonder why is it so complicated, especially when we observe the technological advances of other industries, to light years of the automobile.

The manufacturers have however recruited countless talents why manufacturers deliver more more from the tech world ‘, from Tesla via Apple or Google. They have invested billions. In theory, everything appears at hand. But in the field, some projects run in the nightmare. It is not only a question of redoing software. We must reinvent the entire organization of the company around the software.

These companies considered the software as a problem to be solved, not an experience to design. The engineers of General Motors. Ford and Toyota worked for decades with compartmentalized methods, not very conducive to innovation, and intended to remain frozen during the 20 years of life of the vehicle.

Today, they must create attractive applications, new features, entirely new electric architectures, unknown to their suppliers. They must offer updates worthy of the competition (Tesla in mind), while delivering a product led to customers. And all this by ensuring almost military cybersecurity.

To make sure not to fix the why manufacturers deliver more more situation. as Doug Field, SDV manager at Ford, explains very well, the slowdown in the increase in sales of electric cars obliges manufacturers to design Systems compatible with thermal or hybrid engines. However. unlike electric cars that can supply electronics 24 hours a day, thermal vehicles only have a limited 12V battery as a accumulator, thus greatly complicating the process.