Why are advanced safety features reserved only for top S70 trims?

Question

Accepted Answer

Advanced Safety Features Reserved for Top Proton S70 Trims Due to Strategic Segmentation

Proton has strategically reserved advanced safety features, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and Level 2 semi-autonomous driving functions such as adaptive cruise control and lane centering assist, exclusively for the highest trim levels of the S70 sedan: the Flagship and Flagship X models. This approach means that the Executive and Premium variants of the S70 do not include AEB as standard, a decision that contrasts with current market trends where a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems is increasingly offered as standard across various segments, particularly in the B-segment.
Rationale Behind Feature Segmentation

The decision to limit advanced safety technologies to the top-tier models is a business strategy aimed at differentiating product offerings and perceived value across different price points. By concentrating features like AEB and Level 2 driving assistance on the Flagship and Flagship X variants, Proton can position these higher trims as offering a more premium and technologically advanced experience. This segmentation allows the company to cater to a broader range of customer budgets while still showcasing its capabilities in incorporating cutting-edge safety technology. The significant engineering effort undertaken to integrate these features, which are not present in the global Geely Emgrand platform from which the S70 is derived, likely contributes to the decision to reserve them for the most expensive models.
Understanding Advanced Safety Technologies

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) is a critical safety system designed to automatically apply the brakes if the vehicle detects an imminent collision with another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist, and the driver does not intervene. Level 2 semi-autonomous driving functions, such as adaptive cruise control and lane centering assist, represent a significant advancement in driver assistance. Adaptive cruise control maintains a set speed and distance from the vehicle ahead, while lane centering assist helps to keep the vehicle within its lane. These technologies, when combined, offer a substantial enhancement to driving safety and convenience, reducing driver fatigue and the potential for accidents.
Market Context and Proton's Position

In the contemporary automotive landscape, there is a growing expectation from consumers for advanced safety features to be standard, even in more affordable vehicle segments. The Proton S70's approach of segmenting these features is notable given that many contemporary B-segment models now offer a full suite of driver assists as standard. This market trend suggests a shift in consumer priorities, where safety technology is no longer solely a differentiator for luxury vehicles. Proton's reengineering of the Geely Emgrand platform to incorporate these advanced systems highlights the company's commitment to technological integration, though the choice to confine them to higher trims reflects a strategic balance between cost, market positioning, and feature availability.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Why are advanced safety features reserved only for top S70 trims?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends