Automotive features have come a long way since the first cars hit the roads. As technology has advanced, and production processes have become more efficient, many features that were once considered luxury have become more common and are now expected in most car models. However, the cost of automotive features can fluctuate over time due to various factors such as technology, market demand, and production costs. In this article, we will explore how OEMs are coping with the impact of manufacturing and supply chain issues on feature pricing, and how the prices of popular automotive features have changed over time.

Analysis & Results

To conduct our analysis, we considered 20 features available across premium and mainstream brands. These features were grouped into the following categories: connectivity, lighting, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), safety, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), infotainment, security, suspension, and wheels. We collected data on the minimum pricing of these features across various brands and models using VehiclePlannerPlus and calculated the percentage change in pricing between 2019 and 2022.

One of the most notable findings from our analysis is that the prices of connectivity and lighting features have generally decreased between 2019 and 2022. For example, the price of OTA (over-the-air) map updates has dropped by 49.66%, while the price of auto high beam dimmers has decreased by 42.73%. In contrast, the prices of infotainment, security, suspension, and wheel features have generally increased during this period. For instance, the price of voice recognition has increased by 4.28%, while the price of navigation systems has gone up by 13.48%.

When looking at the overall trend, we found that ADAS features, with the exception of automatic parking assist, have generally decreased in price. However, some features, such as active suspension and 4-wheel steering, have seen significant price increases. Active suspension in particular has seen the biggest price increase of all the features we analyzed, with a 50.84% increase from 2019 to 2022.

Conclusion

It's worth noting that supply chain and production issues can play a role in the fluctuation of feature prices. For example, a shortage of a specific type of semiconductor used in automotive electronic systems could lead to delays or shortages of certain features, resulting in higher prices for those features if they are in high demand.

In conclusion, our analysis shows that the pricing of automotive features can vary significantly over time due to various factors – such as supply chain and production issues, technological advancements, and market demand. Many items that have seen a decrease in cost are software-based, while those that have increased in cost often require significant hardware changes, such as modifications to the standard hardware or the addition of an ECU or harness. While features in some categories, such as connectivity and lighting, have become more affordable in recent years, others, such as infotainment, security, suspension, and wheels, have seen price increases. It is important for car manufacturers to consider the cost of various features when making a product planning decision, and to weigh the desirability and benefits of the feature against its cost.