This is a topic that could fill entire books, and it would indeed be interesting to delve deeply into why the German automotive industry in particular is in such a mess.
But I would like to limit myself here to a few modern features that, in my opinion, can be called into question.
But first: Why should we question features? Don’t they all make using a vehicle easier and more enjoyable?
I would like to highlight three aspects here:
- Firstly, there are features that are not in the interests of the vehicle user and can even hinder them.
- Secondly, more features mean more opportunities for them to break down. The driver then has to go to the repair shop, and repairs can be expensive, which is not in their interests.
- Thirdly, everything that is “more” (i.e., new and additional functions) also means more weight and thus all kinds of disadvantages.
One of the questionable functions here is, for example, the seat belt beeper.
Who doesn’t love the seat belt beeper? The car’s friendly reminder when you’ve “forgotten” to fasten your seat belt. Even before the seat belt beeper, the seat belt usage rate was already very high. Apart from that, many drivers feel patronized by it and find it annoying to be beeped at just because they’re driving 200 meters around the corner.
Another questionable feature is the electric trunk lid that can be shut at the touch of a button.
It’s really amazing to think that an electric motor, wiring, sensors, and other components were installed here because it’s sold as an advantage that you no longer have to slam the trunk lid shut? Was there a demand for such a feature? I would like to know how many kilograms this feature alone weighs.
I could go on with heated steering wheels and other gimmicks, but I’ll leave it at that. I just want to briefly show that not everything that is possible should be implemented. Not every new feature has a noticeable positive effect and can even have a negative impact. In any case, the significant weight increases caused by these features do not benefit anyone.
P.S. Cars that are associated with a great joy of life, back then and today, are models such as the VW Beetle, VW Bulli, and the early Ford Mustang. Cars that had basic features.
Image by Jean-Louis SERVAIS from Pixabay