Hyundai announced it will offer paid digital updates for the radio after the sale of the car.
It launched the program in the US Monday with the initial offering of a PEANUTS comic book-themed radio display. Drivers can purchase a package that personalizes their digital displays with PEANUTS characters. Additional themes and features will be added in 2026.
Hyundai said, “the introduction of the PEANUTS Display Themes marks the beginning of Hyundai Motor’s plan to continuously expand its suite of digital features, even post-purchase. Models equipped with the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) and over-the-air (OTA) software update capabilities will gain access to new themes and advanced digital features through 2025 and beyond.”
Hyundai is focusing on “personalization” of the car’s interior. “When one of the world’s most beloved universes is featured inside your software-defined display, every drive becomes more personal, more playful, and more ‘you,’ proving that the future of in-car technology isn’t just smarter, it’s more human,” said Olabisi Boyle, SVP Product Planning and Mobility Strategy, Hyundai North America in a press announcement.
The PEANUTS theme will be available for purchase on select models, including IONIQ 9 and all-new Palisade, and will expand to additional models in the future. Purchasing is via Hyundai’s Bluelink Store. The theme is then downloaded to the vehicle’s infotainment system via an OTA update, and the theme appears in the infotainment settings menu.
The PEANUTS theme comes in three versions:
- Snoopy’s Universe with bright colors.
- Charlie Brown and Friends–a vintage theme reminiscent of 1950s and ’60s newspaper strips.
- Road Trip with mid-century America, Route 66 vibes, neon lights, and classic road trip motifs.
This is where the market is headed I had already planned on implementing this type of feature on aftermarket head units. Giving user the ability to customize their vehicle is what we do.
Of all the backgrounds to offer on a new vehicle they literally give you Peanuts! The future is here..LOL.
Dangerous slope. This is only a couple of steps away from Ads being displayed on your Infoscreen before you can start the car.
Stellantis is way ahead of you on the Ad front, sir!
We are in the age of microtransactions for your car! How horrifying. Can we, as the public, make sure this fails by not purchasing it, sort of like paying a subscription for heated seats?