9 Most Predictable Cost Cutting Measures By Car Manufacturers

For the mass market, if the number of cars produced has to be higher, so carmakers not only in India but everywhere do cost-cutting. If you are not aware, cost-cutting is when the vehicle manufacturers perform certain edits and omit in the vehicle to lower the cost of the vehicle in exchange for their higher profit margins. That said, these cost-cutting measures are usually done to not so essential components. So, today we list 9 such obvious cost-cutting measures that the carmakers do.

1. Using a space-saver spare tyre or omitting it altogether
   

   

   The most apparent cost-cutting measure the car manufacturers take is to eliminate the less used component. And what’s better than the spare tyre that the cars come with. Also, do remember the component should hamper the reliability or performance of the vehicle. So, the company saves big and gains a lot with a space-saver tyre.

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   For instance, a space-saver saves space and allows for more space. And omitting the wheel altogether allows for weight saving as well as cost. Instead, now companies like Tata Motors have started providing puncture repair kits with the vehicle. Which indeed is cheaper than a full wheel.

2. Fixed integrated headrests
   

   

   The next act the carmakers do to cut costs is to provide fixed headrests. Now you may ask, how does it save money? It’s pretty simple, the cars with adjustable headrests have a mechanism installed in the seats. Where it is relatively cheap, just adding a fixed headrest with foam inside is even cheaper. Yes, carmakers, we know what you are doing here.

3. Using an AMT instead of a conventional automatic transmission
   

   

   The cheapest offering of an automatic transmission is an AMT. Where the AMT could be called an automatic transmission, it certainly is not. It is essentially a manual transmission converter to an auto box, called the automated manual transmission.

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   Where the absolute automatics are more efficient in their working and offer seamless drives, the only thing this AMT lacks is refinement. For one, it is sure jerky, and it takes some time to get used to it. Nevertheless, it is a brilliant option for a budget vehicle, but it is way too cost-cutting for a car vehicle that is above Rs. 10 Lakh. Tata and Mahindra, we are watching.

4. Omitting rear defogger and window washer in lower trims
   

   

   Before talking about this cost-saving measure, the only vehicle that comes with a rear defogger and window washer as standard is Nissan Magnite. Yes, even the base trim has it. Again, cars in the budget range may or may not come with these features as the companies are on a tight budget.

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   But what about Tata Harrier, Hyundai Creta, and others. Now, you are going to a Tata or a Hyundai showroom and you looked at a Rs. 15 Lakh SUV, and the car doesn’t have a defogger and a wash wiper. I am not even kidding. Kitna hi bach jyega?

5. Ordinary spare key
   

   

   In their upper variants, cars nowadays come with pushbutton start and keyless entry and go. Some carmakers give the primary key the beautiful keyfob, but the duplicate key is just a key. Like legit, just a key, with dummy buttons. What? Sad story! Ahem…XUV700 ahem…

6. Request sensor only on the driver-side
   

   

   Kudos to Maruti Suzuki; this is where they have got it covered, as both the front door handles comes with a request sensor. Even the boot lid has one. But cars from companies like Hyundai come with just one sensor, i.e. on the driver’s side. 3 VS 1. Why companies?

7. Feature sharing across cars in the same price range
   

   

   This is where cars share various parts and features across many cars, and they don’t exactly have to be in the same price range. For instance, all Maruti Suzuki’s range’s cars share the same switchgear and even infotainment system. Meaning, Rs. 7 lakh vehicle shares its components with a vehicle that costs Rs. 3 lakh. Almost all the carmakers are guilty of doing it at least once. Even BMW and Rolls Royce.

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8. Fixed engine and transmission line-up
   

   

   Researching and developing an engine is multiple times more expensive than manufacturing an engine. Hence, we see all the carmakers sharing the powerhouse among their vehicles. If you want to know the exact cars that share the same engine, here are the ones that are sold in India.

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9. Undersized tyres
   

   

   Okay, we get it; the spare wheel is a size smaller than the one installed. But, some companies do give undersized as standard on the vehicle. How? Smaller tyres allow for a minor contact patch and a little lighter wheel, increasing the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Well, this is also beneficial for the end-user.

So, these were the 9 ways that a carmaker cuts corners. Which of the following can be avoided? Let us know in the comment section below.