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Why car subscriptions and paywalls are coming and what it means for the aftermarket
The automotive industry is shifting toward a subscription model, charging recurring fees to unlock features already built inside the vehicle. Driven by inflation and vehicle telemetry, this transition to software-defined platforms optimizes factory logistics but disrupts consumer expectations of physical ownership. The ultimate impact will unfold in the used car market, where the loss of transferable features threatens to accelerate depreciation and permanently alter secondar
Tyler Betthauser
May 237 min read


Rising Auto Repair Costs 2026: The Truth About Skimpflation
The automotive repair industry is facing compound skimpflation: rising sticker prices paired with plummeting service quality. While official data shows repair costs climbing 4.3 times faster than in the previous decade, many shops are "liquidating value" to survive. From the "parts cannon" approach to the technological tax of closed software, the traditional model is breaking. The Car Conservatory prioritizes stewardship over throughput to restore genuine value.
Tyler Betthauser
Jan 2022 min read
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