Why is it that auto manufacturers make certain safety related options ONLY available on the top trim models?
Case on point: Dodge Grand Caravan has a Driver Safety Sphere Group, $1200 option pacakge that includes rear blind spot monitoring, and two other features.
The package is ONLY available on the Grand Caravan R/T package. It is not an option that included in the model to model upgrades. It is a $1200 package. It is not available in any model series except the R/T.
Why not make safety related options available for all trim levels?
I can understand the upgraded upholstery, upgraded sound insulation, upgraded trim panels, etc, as part of the things that would not be available in a lower price point model, or an available option.
But I feel safety related options should be available to all buyers, on all trim levels.
Yes, I know it raises the price considerably, but my last two Caravans were 13 and 11 years old respectively when I traded them, so I am not at all concerned about getting back my investment at trade in.
I mean, how would you feel, if you were told that if you wanted airbags or antilock brakes you would have to upgrade to the R/T when all you wanted was the SE or SXT trim lines"?
I don't want something for nothing, and would be happy to pay the $1200 to get that feature on an SE or SXT.
Safety is safety. This is something that is pretty much invisible to other drivers on the road. They'll never know, nor be "impressed" by the fact that you have it.
When I mentioned htis to the Dodge Customer Service email, basically they said it would be passed up the line. Danm, we are talking about features that can conceiveably save lives, or if nothing more, prevent or limit property damage.
Just my two cents.