The government mandate for all vehicles to have vehicle stability control was originally suppost to be implemented in 2008. They have now pushed that date to 2012.

So to answer your question, I highly doubt it. My quess is that Nissan and other car manufacturers will try to get additional money for this option until it becomes mandated in 2012 at which point the base price of the vehicle will go up to cover its cost.

 

BIGGUN you understand the mind of management

Not a lot more to add except to say it is a short sighted as their probably is.

 

Hmmmmmm, I wonder, if they could make more by making it standard and upping the cost wouldn't that be more bucks. Or do you think they are that sensitive to sticker price?

What's another $795 And bragging rights that ALL mo's have VDC, like they did the Extera? Of course the size of the extera grew at the same time.

Another Hmmmmmmmm, I wonder if the mo will grow also?

 

Grip and Woossh,

I'm no marketing guru, but I think its all about perception. Most people look at the bottom price when car shopping. Even if the car has a load of standard options compared with the competitors, they don't get that far because of the initial price. For an SUV, I think that price is around $25,000. Yes, most people end up paying over $30K by the time they are done, but when they shop they are tacking around $5k on the sticker price in the back of their minds.

Just my 2 cents.

-bg

 

This just goes to show the state of consumer knowledge of safety features. To me, VDC is a MUST HAVE for the Murano - its not that the vehicle is prone to roll over, but rather because it will save your bacon when you really cook it in slippery conditions. Yeah I know there are people who think they can pump the pedal faster than ABS (no one can) or steer like a racing driver, but the reality is that modern safety features like ABS and VDC work, and most people are not as skilled as they think they are.

However, most people don't even know about this technology, so they buy a Murano, think its such a cool vehicle, and not realize that pretty much all the competition (I'm thinking Highlander, Pilot, CX-7, etc..) have stability control as standard.

I would be 100% in favor of Nissan making it standard on all their vehicles.