Ravenwood - 09/15/06 07:00 AM
It never takes very long for some federal bureacrat to mandate technological innovation. This time we have the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requiring that electronic stability control be installed on all new cars beginning in 2012.
Who could be against that? After all, safety devices are good right? Personally, I've got nothing against having the option to purchase safety features. My truck already has ABS, traction control, and anti-roll stability. But I don't like being told by the government that I have to buy it.
Of course it's not being communicated that way.
ESC is currently standard on about 40 percent of 2006 passenger vehicle models and is offered as an option on another 15 percent. On some vehicles, it is only available as part of a more expensive option package.Wrong. Adding ESC will cost car purchasers about $111 per vehicle. It won't cost the car companies anything.Adding ESC to vehicles that already have anti-lock brakes will cost car companies about $111 per vehicle, the agency estimates.
Category: Fall of Western Civilization
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Anyone have any idea of how much maintenance ESC systems require? They might cost purchasers much, much more than $111 per car in the long run.
Posted by: markm at September 15, 2006 4:56 PMAlmost none actually markm. Most of it is just code in the car's computer. and a sensor at each wheel.
ESC is just another way for the car companies to work with the government to take all the fun out of driving. Oh sorry, I meant "risk".
Posted by: Drew at September 17, 2006 12:05 PMMaybe this is a protectionist measure to forstall the cars from China that are set to be introduced?
Posted by: DirtCrashr at September 18, 2006 3:04 PMActually on European cars that currently offer this as an option the cost runs fro around $300 to $2000. Which is a far cry from "not much" or $111.00. Not to mention the cost for replacing sensors and having the damn thing checked at every mileage check. Just one more forced mandate to make the politicians feel good.
The reality is that only the driver can keep his/her car on the road. And if you are stupid enough to overdrive your vehicle, Darwin is rightfully waiting.
Posted by: emdfl at September 19, 2006 10:32 AM(c) Ravenwood and Associates, 1990 - 2014
