The race in the car cockpit.

Technology is making cars more convenient and smarter, from remotely turning on the air conditioning to automatically reversing into a parking space. There is a technological race underway to create convenience and attract customers.

More and more technologies are being integrated by car manufacturers to differentiate themselves in the market and attract customers - Photo: CONG TRUNG

Software packages and connectivity services are also creating a new cost for car buyers.

New technology makes driving more comfortable.

At lunchtime in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Nguyen Minh left his office and went down to the parking lot after nearly four hours of his electric car being parked outdoors. Previously, every time he opened the car door, hot air would rush out, the steering wheel would get scorching hot, and he had to turn on the air conditioner and wait a few minutes for the car's interior to cool down.

That habit has changed now. Before going down the elevator, he opens the app on his phone, checks the battery level, makes sure the car is locked, and turns on the air conditioning. By the time he gets to the parking lot, the cabin is already cool.

"Just by using the app, you can turn on the air conditioning, lower the windows, and check the battery level. Compared to previous car models, it's much more convenient to use," Minh said.

In an apartment building in Binh Thanh ward, Ms. My Hanh also feels less stressed when parking her car in the underground garage thanks to 360-degree cameras, collision sensors, guide lines, and an automatic reverse parking mode. "Technology doesn't make me a better driver immediately, but it helps me feel less afraid when maneuvering in tight spaces," Ms. Hanh shared.

Such experiences are changing the way Vietnamese people view a car. Many car salespeople in Ho Chi Minh City say that while customers used to ask about the car's power, fuel efficiency, and durability, now many people ask if the app allows remote control, if the night vision camera is clear, if the voice assistant understands Vietnamese, and which features require extra payment.

The cockpit becomes a sales point.

The technology race in the cockpit is no longer limited to luxury cars. The new generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class in Vietnam is attracting attention with its selfie camera integrated into the dashboard.

Mr. Do Phu Cuong, Senior Manager of Product Management at Mercedes-Benz Vietnam, said that this system is not only used for taking photos, but also for online meetings via Zoom, using facial recognition to automatically adjust seats, lighting, and music according to each person's individual profile. To ensure safety, the online meeting feature only works when the vehicle is completely stopped.

Mercedes-Benz isn't the only car manufacturer transforming the cockpit into a high-tech space with virtual cockpits, large screens, 360-degree cameras, and driver assistance packages.

In the mainstream segment, collision warning, lane keeping, automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control are also becoming increasingly common. Chinese car manufacturers such as BYD, Haval, Omoda, Jaecoo, MG, and Aion are also choosing technology as their "entry point" into the market.

Amenities come with a cost.

According to Mr. Nguyen Minh Dong, an automotive engineering expert who previously worked at Volkswagen Group, a modern car is no longer a purely mechanical product, but a complex control system in which software and algorithms play a significant role in safety and comfort.

Previously, a car was almost fixed in its original configuration after being sold. Now, through software updates, the car can have bugs fixed, the interface changed, new features added, or additional services offered.

Car manufacturers don't just sell a car once; they can also sell additional software, data packages, maps, entertainment, remote controls, or personalization features.

In Vietnam, the trend of selling after-sales experiences is becoming clearer through connected car applications such as turning on the air conditioner before getting in the car, checking the battery or fuel level, locating the vehicle, locking/unlocking doors remotely, intrusion alerts, monitoring tire pressure, scheduling maintenance, and finding charging stations.

VinFast currently offers VF Connect on its VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF 9 models with multiple service tiers. The Basic package remains the core feature tier. Paid packages include VF Connect Pro, Premium, and Prime.

The Pro package costs 799,000 VND/year, 2,999,000 VND/5 years, or 3,999,000 VND/10 years; the Premium package costs 1,299,000 VND/year or 4,999,000 VND/5 years; and the Prime package costs 1,599,000 VND/year.

Higher packages add remote vehicle control, intrusion alerts, a smart virtual assistant, map data, an entertainment app store, mobile data, and in-car WiFi.

Recently, the BYD App on the Sealion 6 PHEV model in Vietnam has attracted attention. This application allows owners to lock/unlock doors, turn on the air conditioning, check tire pressure, battery level, locate the vehicle, or schedule cabin cooling.

However, the one-time fee of approximately 15.1 million VND, with no additional charges, has sparked much debate on automotive forums. Some BYD dealerships argue that charging for software is an understandable trend, as connectivity services require costs to maintain servers, map data, security, SIM cards, telecommunications infrastructure, and software updates.

However, the issue is not just about whether or not to charge a fee, but about how it is collected, the amount charged, and whether the information is clearly disclosed to customers from the outset.

Don't let customers feel like "buying a car isn't enough."

Some customers argue that features directly related to the basic experience, such as climate control, vehicle status checks, vehicle tracking, or security alerts, should be clearly stated from the outset: how long they are free, how much they will cost afterward, and whether they are charged monthly, annually, or for life. When the vehicle is resold, it should also be clarified whether the service package is included with the vehicle or tied to the previous owner's account.

According to many automotive experts, as in-car technology becomes increasingly complex, transparency with users becomes a crucial requirement. Technology is only truly meaningful when it makes driving safer, more convenient, and easier to control.

Therefore, car manufacturers that develop user-friendly, reliable, safe, and reasonably priced features will have an advantage in attracting customers.

These are the new fees that car buyers need to ask about carefully.

When buying a car with many connectivity features, customers should ask clearly whether the car control app is free, for how long, and whether the fee is charged monthly, annually, or for life.

Features to inquire about include remote climate control, remote door locking/unlocking, vehicle location, intrusion alerts, map data, virtual assistant, entertainment app store, WiFi, in-car mobile data, and software updates.

Additionally, when reselling a car, buyers need to know whether the service package is included with the car or is tied to the previous owner's account.

Back to the topic

CONG TRUNG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cuoc-dua-trong-khoang-lai-o-to-20260531232532082.htm