Packages and Options - What is Ford thinking?

[BMCGC]

It seems that whoever designs and prices packages and options needs some real world feedback.

$100 for a tow hitch and four wire plug. We would have paid $200 and been happy.

Same with the sliding window. An oem quality slider runs $250-ish + installation, $200 would still be a bargin.

On a Ranger if you want copilot 360 it requires the upgrade 101A package for a total cost of $1760. We get copilot 360 for $540.

No moonroof option on a Ranger. It looks like only The Maverick has it as a stand alone option.

Reverse sensors are $110 on a Ranger XLT, we only get them on a Lariat.

Lots of other oddities across the vehicle lines, like automatic day/night mirrors, can we even get one?

It would be nice if the safety options AAC, BLIS, reverse sensors and DRL's would be standard or part of a package.

It seems that if Ford offers it on a Bronco Sport, there would be a cost effective way to offer it on a Maverick.

No rhyme or reason as far as I can tell.

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[WesM]

Its funny how this forum kind of goes in cycles. As it gets new members you see repeat threads of the same complaints/issues every month or so.

A lot of the issues options you bring up have been discussed frequently. The most frequently discussed being the lack of cruise as even an option on the XL trim.

 

[JamesHenry]

In my opinion, safety features should never be locked behind certain trim levels.

 

[woppinger]

Presumably (if they're at all competently managed) they have teams of smart people whose entire jobs are to figure out how to configure these things to maximize profit

 

[Pizzacat_69420]

Presumably (if they're at all competently managed) they have teams of smart people whose entire jobs are to figure out how to configure these things to maximize profit

Correct. Why does the fx4 package cost less than the components that make it up? Well, those components may only be slightly more expensive than the base components that the truck already comes with, so then Ford assumes that you'll pay $800 for the package. The truck already comes with a radiator and trans filler, but the fx4 items are bigger so there's a slight cost/materials didference. So it is is written. So it shall be.

 

[Pizzacat_69420]

In my opinion, safety features should never be locked behind certain trim levels.

Well then you don't have a $19,900 truck. You have a $23k base truck which doesn't sound as good.

 

[IPunchCholla]

Presumably (if they're at all competently managed) they have teams of smart people whose entire jobs are to figure out how to configure these things to maximize profit

I know it worked with me. 1 thing in the options was considered "necessary" for me (ACC). To get it I had to go Lariat Lux. Was it worth the 10k cost? Not on its own. But I really like my push button start in the current vehicle. And the heated seats are great for about 5 month out of the year, as is the heated steering wheel. Blis sounds good as do the other features of co-pilot, I really like my wireless charging, too, and I would likely get a hitch and the spray in bed-liner aftermarket, and this included them, and the faux leather seats are actually much better for my use case, even if the aesthetics aren't ideal.... So basically talked myself into upgrading for one feature.

 

[olderbudwiser]

In my opinion, safety features should never be locked behind certain trim levels.

The most important safety feature is the drivers situational awareness.

 

[Dechion]

All safety features are included standard on all models. Only higher level packages have experiemental features that the insurance industry does not consider "safety" as there are no discounts offered for them. Maverick crash test results will likely get it the highest safety rating for its class just above the Santa Cruz which also did very well. You are not missing out on any safety features with an XL. If your mirrors are adjusted properly and you know how to drive a car the 360 is not making you any safer. Lane keeping assist is for people that shouldn't be driving on the road in the first place. Adaptive cruise control is Level 2 self-driving and the initial data indicates that it makes people less safe drivers. All of these tech options add complexity, cost, and make drivers more reliant on them, particularly younger drivers that never learned to drive without them.

Agreed for the most part.

I got the Lariat Lux package primarily for the heated faux leather seats. Lots of the other things are "nice to have" items.

One of the first things I plan to do is turn off most of the electronic "help me drive" stuff.

Cross traffic alert when backing out of a parking space is handy, as well as the proximity sensors that alert to things too close. Most if it I'm not really interested in, it just comes bundled together so I have it.

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