Let’s start by exploring why a car manufacturer offers various models. It boils down to business. Simply selling base models wouldn’t yield the highest profits because they contribute the least to the company’s earnings. The higher variants come with desired features that boost profits. To entice customers to visit the showroom, the advertised price is typically for the base model. This strategy successfully attracts potential customers. Once at the showroom, salespeople work on upselling customers to higher models

Let’s take a moment to understand that the core mechanics of the car, such as engine size, power, safety features like airbags, remain consistent across different trims. What sets them apart are the extra features, like touchscreen infotainment systems, built-in navigation, and other accessories. However, it’s worth considering that these additional features don’t necessarily enhance the overall driving experience.

A traditional infotainment system with physical buttons can offer a more tactile experience while driving compared to touchscreens, which require taking eyes off the road. Touchscreens can be distracting and potentially dangerous. Physical buttons provide convenience without the need to divert attention from the road. Additionally, in-built navigation systems in cars often lack regular software updates, making them unreliable. Using apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps on smartphones is usually a better choice due to their more frequent and accurate updates.

Automatic headlights activate when the surrounding light dims. Fortunately, in our country, there are few occasions during daytime when this feature is necessary. At night, it’s a common habit to manually turn on headlights before driving. Personally, I believe relying too much on this feature could dull our natural senses. Our minds might start expecting lights to turn on automatically in other situations, like when entering our homes. 😊

Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) originated in Nordic countries where daylight is limited, so they were introduced to enhance visibility during the day. However, in India, sunlight is abundant across the country, making DRLs less necessary. Car manufacturers here often include DRLs in higher variants, but they offer minimal value addition.

Sunroofs are popular in countries with less sunlight, as they allow people to enjoy exposure to the sun. However, in our country, the climate doesn’t necessitate sunlight inside the car, making sunroofs unnecessary. Additionally, opening a sunroof could lead to occupants feeling drowsy due to the high levels of pollution in the air.

There’s a common misconception about the “cooled glovebox” feature, often mistaken for a refrigeration unit. In reality, it simply has an air conditioning vent inside. While it may help keep already chilled drinks cool, it’s unlikely to keep ice cream frozen.

Many of our roads lack proper markings and control, increasing the likelihood of unexpected obstacles like animals or fast-approaching bikers. This makes it challenging to rely solely on cruise control, as our reflexes are tuned to respond to road hazards. However, cruise control can still be valuable on access-controlled roads or expressways for long-distance driving.

The mentioned add-ons are only a few upgrades offered with higher models, providing limited utility to buyers. Some of these features may dull our natural senses, which is concerning. They are primarily where car manufacturers profit the most. It’s prudent not to fall for the upselling tactics of car salespeople. However, I reserve the right to reconsider if higher models offer additional benefits like extra airbags or advanced safety features. For now, let’s stay informed and make wise choices!

In this blog, we’ve aimed to simplify things to help potential customers distinguish between must-have features. Whether these additions offer value is ultimately up to the customer to decide. If you find this article helpful, please share it with your friends. We’ll continue to bring you more useful and interesting articles in our next blog, so stay tuned. Until then, happy reading!