Kyle's Corner (FYI) People Want to Make Friends Not Imagine Foes in the Back Seat

Over the years, Volvo
has been known for
building solid and
safe vehicles. Fur-
thermore, as of late,
Volvos are quite
good looking with
stylish designs.

However, regarding
the safety theme, the
automaker came up
with a $550 option
that detects if an in-
truder is lurking in

the rear seat of a Volvo. The system was designed to detect a heartbeat
in the back seat!

However, like other 'also rans' such as hideaway headlights, CB
radios, electric seat belts, an even the 'Liquid Tire Chain' which
automatically sprayed icy-weather traction fluid on the rear wheels
of the 69 Camaro, Volvo is axing the detect a heartbeat in the back
seat feature. Did someone have too much time on their hands to
come up with these beauties?

Volvo cars North American spokesman Dan Johnston reported to
USA Today, "Almost no one was using the intruder query function."
And if the system did detect someone in the back seat, what would
the driver do? Ask them if they want to hope up front and drive?
It seems as if people would rather make friends instead of worrying
about the back seat.

Regarding the intruder system, USA Today says, "The detector's
demise shows how the auto industry, in the race for the latest and
most exclusive technology, can misjudge what buyers actually want.
Lately, the tech wars have intensified as makers try to cram GPS,
iPod and smartphone connectivity and other gadgets into cars. All
hope for a breakthrough gimmick that catches buyers' attention and
sets their vehicles apart."

The intruder system was developed when Volvo was owned by Ford,
which will be selling Volvo to China's Geely Motors this year.

Johnston says that Volvo will be offering a $2,100 tech package on
the new S60 that includes a system that detects pedestrians in the
car's path and brakes the Volvo even if the driver does not.

At least the driver will have a chance to make a friend rather
than imagine a foe in the back seat! And isn't that the way
driving should be?

Have an auto question or comment? You can email it to me at
Kbusch3@verizon.net. Kyle Busch is the author of "Drive the Best
for the Price..." www.DriveTheBestBook.com.