Subj : Subaru joins controversial list of carmakers experimenting with i
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Mon Dec 08 2025 22:45:07

Subaru joins controversial list of carmakers experimenting with infotainment 
system pop-up ads

Date:
Mon, 08 Dec 2025 22:30:00 +0000

Description:
Pop-up ads in Subarus have been driving customers around the bend, but they 
aren't the only manufacturer keen on exploiting the rich revenue stream.

FULL STORY
======================================================================Ads for 
Sirius XM are popping up in Subarus Japanese marque claims it has had no 
complaints A growing number of manufacturers are trialling in-car ads 

According to reports from Subaru owners in North America, pop-up ads have 
started appearing on the infotainment systems of a number of models, causing 
a Reddit and forum-based outcry from those not pleased about the decision. 

One Reddit user said an advertisement for Sirius XM popped up on the screen 
while driving at 55mph, and the owner stated they almost wrecked because of 
it. 

This caused a number of other commenters to wade in on the thread, with some 
claiming it has only happened occasionally and, by ticking the do not show me 
again button, it prevents the ads from appearing. 

While others have said they receive the pop-up once or twice and week, 
claiming it startles them each time. One Reddit user said: This seriously 
p*ssed me off when it happened to me, also when I was driving. 

 The Autopian contacted Subaru for comment, but the Japanese marque claimed 
it was the first weve heard of any issue and that it hadnt directly received 
any negative comments from customers until now. In-car ads arent going away 
(Image credit: Stellantis/Jeep) 

Stellantis, which is the parent company of Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, Fiat, and 
many more, has hit the headlines on multiple occasions this year over reports 
that it too has been pushing pop-up ads to the infotainment systems of its 
models. 

Whats more, users complained there was no way to opt out of the 
advertisements , with Setallantis claiming it was merely a glitch. 

The various posts that surfaced on X showed the entire infotainment screen 
covered in a huge pop-up box notifying the driver about a loyalty cash bonus 
scheme, with a small cross in the top right hand corner requiring a jab of a 
finger to close it down. This is a real photo from a friend 
pic.twitter.com/PU8xcd1qt2 November 17, 2025 

At the time, The Autopian reached out to Stellantis, which said the 
"In-Vehicle Message (IVM) technology in the Uconnect system is an important 
link that helps Stellantis stay in contact with our owners at critical points 
in their ownership".

We have reported on other manufacturers partaking in similar activity, with 
Tesla's recent Tron: Ares update angering those owners who thought it felt 
too much like a promotional tie-in. 

With automakers looking for new revenue streams, the Software Defined Vehicle 
(SDV)  - one that can be automatically updated via over-the-air software 
packages - presents a golden opportunity to reach a captive audience. 

While automakers might think it's fine to beam ads onto infotainment screens, 
hoping an owner will sign up for a deal when stuck in traffic, it has clearly 
struck a nerve with those who feel it is intrusive, overbearing, and, at the 
very worst, distracting to the point of being dangerous. 

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======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/subaru-joins-c
ontroversial-list-of-carmakers-experimenting-with-infotainment-system-pop-up-a
ds


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