Americans are more interested than ever in equipping their next vehicle with such features as backup sensors or steerable headlamps. As usual, however, their enthusiasm slips when they consider the cost of such technologies.
So says the 2008 U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study from J.D. Power and Associates.
This year’s report says about three in four consumers express interest in blind spot detection or backup assist. But the proportion drops to roughly two-thirds when cost is considered.
J.D. Power say the top 5 technologies after prices are considered (in descending order) are:
– Backup assist,
– Steerable headlamps,
– Wireless connectivity,
– Blind spot detection, and
– Remote vehicle diagnostics.
The bottom ranked technologies in ascending order are rear-seat entertainment systems, in-vehicle Internet access, navigation systems and collision mitigation systems