Automatic, Makers of Diagnostic Car Dingus, to Shut Down

Automatic:

Just like many other companies in the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted our business. With fewer consumers purchasing and leasing vehicles and drivers on the road, we unfortunately do not see a path forward for our business. These are unprecedented times, and with so much uncertainty ahead, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue the Automatic connected car product, service and platform. We will be shutting down all operations at 11:59 pm, PT, on May 28, 2020 and, as a result, your service will end on that time.

A shame. Automatic was, a few years back, a regular sponsor of The Talk Show, and their diagnostic dingus, app, and service were all excellent. (Their last episode as a sponsor was the November 2016 post-election “Holiday Party” with Merlin Mann.)

Update: I either missed or forgot this, but in 2017 Automatic was acquired by SiriusXM for “a little north of $100 million”. Poof.

★ Saturday, 2 May 2020