When your vehicle outlives its cloud: What happens next?

Cloud-based vehicle connected services—including remote access, OTA updates, and telematics—are becoming obsolete as cellular networks sunset older technologies and automakers discontinue backend support, potentially rendering millions of vehicles unable to access features customers paid for and rely on for safety and convenience. This service lifecycle challenge creates technology debt for automakers, customer dissatisfaction, and raises questions about IT infrastructure sustainability and the long-term viability of cloud-dependent vehicle features. IT leaders should recognize that automotive cloud services lack the longevity guarantees of traditional enterprise systems, presenting business model risks and customer retention challenges as these connected services degrade.