QUOTE(zweimmk @ Jul 22 2012, 10:19 AM)
This discussion sure can go on and on. But the fact is this, safety standards have risen everywhere else in the world, so why would you want to settle for anything less if you don't have to or have the financial means not too. If the government is willing to step in and demand that all future vehicles, whether big or small at least provide those safety features, wouldn't it be much better for everyone overall? We talk about now, what past is the past, what's important is the future, and the important thing is to have safety standards continually improve instead of going backwards.
So in this case, how can anyone even justify what Toyota did is good for the industry and motorist in general? Removing 2 important safety features that shouldn't have been removed in the first place and for what? Good car or not, there's no denying they've gone backwards in terms of safety.
Btw, there's so many people out there who buy Toyota cars without even test driving or seeing the car first, the new Camry isn't an exception. Like it or not, the brand is rock solid and they've been around long enough that people trust them enough to buy them but eventually, if they continue doing this, the gen Y that moves up to replace the gen X will not hesitate to ignore their offerings.
safety feature in car, is improve a lot and even p1/p2 have put in safety feature.
how much or how little, is driven by market requirement.
toyota is a business first, and a carmaker second. reduction of feature happens, simply because they can do it and its commercially viable. they probably have data on features and usage, as well as safety stats on accidents involving their vehicles.
there is still a big chunk of buyers who do not want to pay for features, and the common requirement is the "stature" of the car, the comfort while seated, and the practicality and resale. this group is what toyota, as a business, cater for.