Your Next Car Might Come with Ads
Here’s Why That’s a Big Problem
Imagine paying $75,000 for a brand-new car . . .
And as you’re driving it off the lot, you get hit with a pop-up ad for the extended warranty you just declined at the dealership.
Sounds ridiculous, right?
Well, Jeep just did it.
And this isn’t just an annoying feature—it’s a warning sign for where the auto industry is heading. Car manufacturers are turning your vehicle into an advertising platform.
If you thought streaming services were bad with ads, just wait until your own car starts selling to you. Let’s break down why this is happening, how bad it’s going to get, and what it means for the future of advertising.
Why Car Companies Are Turning Your Car Into an Ad Platform
Car companies used to make money by selling you a car. End of story. Now they’ve realized the real money isn’t in selling cars—it’s in monetizing the software inside them.
The Hidden Shift in the Auto Industry
The CEO of Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company, recently said they plan to make $20 billion per year from software and subscriptions by 2030. Think about that.
Instead of relying on one-time car sales, manufacturers are shifting to a recurring revenue model. They’re not just selling you a car. They’re selling access to the features inside it.
Are Jeep Pop-Up Ads The Future of Car Subscriptions
This isn’t a glitch in the system—it’s the new business model. What happens when car manufacturers start locking basic features behind subscriptions?
✅ Want heated seats? That’s $10 a month.
✅ Want to remove ads? That’s an extra charge.
✅ Want full-speed performance? Pay to unlock it.
Sounds crazy? BMW already tried charging $18 a month for heated seats.
Car manufacturers aren’t just testing the waters—they’re laying the groundwork for a future where your car experience is pay-to-play.
The Future of In-Car Advertising
If Jeep is doing this now, what’s stopping every other car brand from following?
Here’s where this could go next:
📌 Subscription-Based Car Features – Want an ad-free experience? You’ll have to pay for it.
📌 Ads Based on Location – Drive past Starbucks? Your dashboard might offer you a discount.
📌 Voice-Activated Ads – Your car listens to what you talk about and serves ads based on conversations.
📌 Sponsored Navigation Routes – Waze already does this, but car manufacturers could start steering you toward sponsored destinations.
We’ve seen this playbook before. It starts small. Then, over time, the free version becomes unbearable—and the only way out is to pay.
The Psychology Behind Ad Fatigue
This isn’t just about ads. It’s about control. When you buy a car, you expect to own it. But now Car companies want to monetize your every move.
The Hedonic Treadmill & Why You’ll Get Used to It
At first, people hate new advertising models.
🚨 Remember when Facebook introduced ads? People were furious—now it’s just normal.
🚨 Remember when YouTube added unskippable ads? People raged—but they still watch.
🚨 Netflix & Disney+ cracked down on password sharing—and they both have record-breaking subscribers.
This is called the Hedonic Treadmill. Your brain freaks out at first . . . then it gets used to it. That’s exactly what Jeep and every other car company is betting on. At first, people will complain. Then, they’ll accept it.
The Future of Advertising
What Happens Next?
I think we can all agree that no one is excited for ads in their car. But what about advertising that people actually enjoy?
Read this blog next where I share the secret Gordon Ramsay uses to sell $55,000 a day of just ONE dish.
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