Tech Tonic Has excessive technology ruined the cars we buy? & more related News Here

The simple answer is, at the risk of spoiler alert. Yes. There may be two sides to this coin, but the inclusion of technology in the cars we buy now, and will increasingly buy in the coming years, has purposefully become a hindrance rather than useful. There was a time when buying a car was easy. Your checklist probably included how comfortable the seats were, ample legroom, power windows and rear parking sensors, and some nice features like automatic climate control and a music system. Then you stretch your budget by trying to buy a trim that’s a notch higher in terms of price, because it had a touchscreen music system instead of physical buttons and a small scrolling display. the good old days.

Technology in cars is not inherently bad, and I’ll make that clear from the beginning. For example, features like electronic stability control, anti-brake locking system, adaptive headlights, and rain-detecting windshield wipers are essential and helpful. I can say that there are moments when ABS braking technology is fully utilized on the road, when a cretin wants to occupy the same road space as you do, regardless of indicators or wording. Modern vehicles are significantly safer, more efficient, and better connected with wireless and wired phone integration into infotainment system screens (though you’ll still see nitwits texting and driving – just bad apples, no hope of learning).

Also read: Tech Tonic Paying more, getting more, but wanting less

But carmakers have left no stone unturned in making things a complete nightmare on the showroom floor, and later when things start going wrong (it’s a matter of when and not if), at the service centre. It was a case of exciting innovation at first, as the good old touchscreen music system evolved into a connected infotainment system with 4G connectivity, pre-loaded maps for navigation and in some cases even apps for streaming music, podcasts and more. Some people may like that detailed experience in cars, but for many it is completely overwhelming. This gives me an idea – how about a “simple mode” for infotainment systems like some Android phones? I’m sure many people of my father’s generation would prefer the simplicity, as it is impossible for them to navigate layer upon layer of interfaces for simple tasks like changing the radio station.

Some carmakers have really taken things too far. For example, something as simple as adjusting the outside rear view mirror in the MG Windsor EV requires you to press your fingers on the touchscreen. The things that good drivers do subconsciously now need rewiring. Tremendous, and completely unnecessary.

This has resulted in complete confusion on the showroom floor. I will give you some examples. Tata Motors currently has around 79 variants of Nexon on sale across petrol, diesel and EV powertrains. Hyundai has 69 variants of the popular Creta to choose from, including the N-Line and Creta Electric. It’s a similar story for the little brother, the Venue, which has 41 variants including the N-Line. Mahindra, not to be left behind, asks the customer to choose between 43 trims of the Scorpio. This is a common theme, not limited to these three carmakers, and is being done to varying degrees by almost everyone else.

Often, there are very minor feature differences between similar variants, and only an alert buyer can identify them (sellers also often get confused). A lot of research is required before buying your dream car. Because those dreams are divided into many forms and versions.

I think customers will increasingly gravitate towards brands that take such complexities out of the purchasing decision. Maruti’s recent launch, the Victoris, is selling well not only because of the value for money and the proposition it offers with the hybrid option, space and safety, but also because there are a total of 18 variants across strong hybrid and mild hybrid powertrains (if you have decided from the very beginning which is which powertrain, the complexity of the choice is reduced to a great extent).

It is surprising that car manufacturers have forgotten one basic thing – a car is not a smartphone. While a phone can command your visual attention for as long as you want, in a car, especially when you’re driving, you don’t basically have that luxury of time.

And that’s before I even get to the industry’s obsession with a software-first approach to everything. Many people won’t believe it, but my 12-year-old Hyundai Elantra still feels like a better-engineered, mechanical genius than any modern car from the last 5 years can. I know people who still swear by their evergreen VW Polo hatchback, their Honda Civic sedan and the first generation Maruti Baleno. Those cars did not break down often, and most of the time when they did break down, they could be repaired mechanically. Cars these days require service center technicians as well as software engineers – and that will never work out well.

Next, membership net. It is coming. Mark my words.

Vishal Mathur is Technology Editor at HT. Tech Tonic is a weekly column that looks at the impact of personal technology on the way we live our lives, and vice versa. The views expressed are personal.