More often than not, people tend to be interested in new technologies and features that are incorporated in vehicles even as they plan to buy their dream cars.
Despite people’s interest in the car features at the beginning, there are some that are outdated and rarely used in the long run. Interestingly, some of these outdated features are still being installed in the vehicles by manufacturers.
Here is a list of the car features that are either outdated or rarely used but still in production.
1. Handbrake
The handbrake is one of the most important features of vehicles as it stops the car from moving when it has been parked. In most cars, the handbrake is usually located on the left side of the car and is pushed down to release the car into motion and pulled up to prevent the car from moving while parked.
In recent years, most manufactures have opted for foot brakes. However, some still produce vehicles with handbrakes.
2. Cigarette Lighters/Ashtray
Most motor vehicle manufacturers still incorporate cigarette lighters and ashtrays in their designs. This production was informed by the rising number of people who enjoyed smoking. However, the components have become dormant as the ashtray can even go unnoticed.
3. CD/Tape player
In most cars, manufacturers will still add CD and Tape players yet they are rarely used. This is because people prefer to stream music from their mobile phones using the aux cable. Also, the use of the CD and Tapes has faded over time as people rely on streaming apps for their music.
Additionally, people also tend to use flash disks to store their music because of the convenience of storage and portability.
4. Drink Coolers
Despite some manufacturers still incorporating inbuilt drink coolers in the vehicles, most car owners rarely use them.
In some vehicles, the cooler compartment is located in between the driver’s and the passenger's seat while in some cars it is located at the dashboard. People rarely use them because they will buy drinks and use them immediately.
5. Rear Seat Entertainment System
In some cars, manufacturers include small TV screens behind the rear seats for passengers to entertain themselves as they travel.
However, the trend is fading away as people rarely use the screens, plus most of the vehicles that incorporate the technology are high-end cars that are only owned by a few.
6. GPS screens
Many manufactures intended to help their clients find it easier when navigating around the streets through the introduction of GPS screens.
However, people rarely use them as they cite the high cost of updating the systems hence becoming dormant over time.
7. Power Antenna
In some vehicles, there is always a black power antenna that is located at the top of vehicles which helps in providing uninterrupted transmission and streaming of music and radio broadcast services.
However, the feature has become dormant as people opt for other music systems when entertaining themselves.
8. Pop Up Headlights
Another car feature that is still being produced in some vehicles and is obsolete is the pop-up headlights.
In the '80s and '90s, the feature was considered swag.
However, the trend has faded over the years and people opt for vehicles with normal headlights. Nonetheless, there are still car enthusiasts who prefer them.
9. Automatic Doors
As manufacturers incorporated technology in the making of cars, they introduced automatic doors to replace the manual ones to make cars look cooler and easier to operate.
However, most cars still have manual doors as people are used to them and save on car batteries.
10. Front Row Bench Seat
As many sedan cars incorporated the three front-row seats, many manufacturers stopped producing the three seats at the front because it limits the driver in terms of space.
Nonetheless, this feature is still common in Matatus and Buses.
