Quote:
Originally Posted by fbodfather
Option packages are a fact of life.
Period.
I don't like it.
You don't like it.
But if you want cars (and trucks) to be reasonably priced, this is how it will be.
We offered over 15 million build combinations in the 1997 model year on a Camaro -- to build less than 75 thousand cars.
The result -- a horrible number of part numbers to build cars that sat on dealer lots (Wait -- this car has power windows and door locks -- why doesn't it have cruise control!!?!?!?!?).....
To get the cost out of the car -- and to simplify build -- and to reduce piece costs --- we have to package things. (you think the Camaro's bad? Go look at how Honda packages their cars!)....
So - you want halo lights but don't want the 20 inch wheels? I think you can find lots of takers for the 20 inch wheels when you decide to put custom wheels on the car -- and if you order 21 inch wheels from GM, the dealer will give you credit for the 20s.........
I understand your frustration -- but I don't ever see any manufacturer getting away from this.
Let me ask you this: Would you be willing to make a decision to increase the base price of the car by over $500 to $1,000 in order to allow everyone to free-flow their options????
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This is a simple idea that helps production costs as well as helps increase quality.....
It enables many components to be pre-fabricated prior to assembly, and ensures the details of all the components are done right. If you have every car coming down the line built slightly different, I just seem to have this picture of a scene from "Gung Ho" in my head where everyone is fighting to hit their production goal, the cars are going by too fast, and some parts (like the engine) are omitted
A few simple, easy to order option packages makes sense.