Floormats and bodyside moldings

On an increasingly large number of cars, bodyside moldings are becoming optional, or ceasing to be available at all. The reasons: clean bodysides are in fashion at the moment, and it saves a few dollars.

I’ve noticed this most with Chrysler, where bodyside moldings became optional on many trim levels during the 2007 model year. For 2008, GM may be following suit–bodyside moldings have become a $100 option on all trim levels of the Chevrolet Impala.

On many luxury cars bodyside moldings aren’t even an option anymore. This suggests a styling motive.

Whatever the motivation, the paintless dent removal business is going to be booming.

Chrysler also made floormats optional on many trim levels during 2007. They’re only charging $30 for them, but they used to be standard. Usually I don’t make a big deal about standard vs. optional, since you’re paying for a feature either way. But by keeping the price the same (or raising it a bit) and removing a standard feature, this represented a less obvious additional price increase.

Floormats have long been a dealer-installed accessory on most Japanese cars, with prices often $100 or more. So I chalk this one up to Chrysler leveling the playing field. By why the lack of ambition on pricing?