Area 451 cruise control MSRP announced

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by bigcritter

Instructions look a little involved, but not impossible! Still wish the price-point was a little lower, though!

I have watched this product from it's inception and followed on the 451 cruise control board all the way through to production. This is a VERY 451 specific C/C and a lot of R&D went into it! Hence, a superior product IMHO. I think the MSRP is right in the ball park! I've been on the waiting list since the list started (smarties are good waiters! ) and will order just as soon as possible. When I take delivery of my smart in 6+ months, this is the first "mod" going in! I for one, am a happy camper; I'll have cruise control !!!!

[Cruising n Coasting]

Originally Posted by pdboilermaker

If we could only find the wiring diagram for the car, we could buy one of the dashmount units from JC Whitney for $121.00 and install it

Have a pic?

[Cruise451]

Hi everyone. I'm the guy that designed this new cruise control that Area 451 Parts is supplying.

Just a couple responses to some of the comments here:

The price is competitive if you compare to the only other option "available". There is no factory option, but if there were it would likely cost more than this.

Someone mentioned an off-the shelf generic "option". If it were that simple, we woud have done that! A wiring diagram won't help you install one of those... the smart isn't a traditional car and can't use a traditional cruise control.

The install really is within a typical person's abilities. I'm not sure why a few of you are jumping to the conclusion that you have to pay a pro. You can if you want, but it is recommended you install ANY aftermarket part yourself whenever possible. Follow the instructions carefully and you'll find this to be one of the easiest mods you'll do to your car.

I'll be happy to answer any questions, but for efficiency sake its best if you ask them over on the support site so I don't miss them.

Craig

[letsgoskatepool]

Do you have any pics of the final install?

[Cruising n Coasting]

Originally Posted by Cruise451

Hi everyone. I'm the guy that designed this new cruise control that Area 451 Parts is supplying.

Someone mentioned an off-the shelf generic "option". If it were that simple, we woud have done that!
Craig

How did you determine the cost factor? Is it based on other factory options? The number just seems too easy and not well thought out.

I am just curious why it so much more expensive than other dealers with a warranty. Just look at this breakdown for a 2008 Toyota Carolla, the cc has a list price of $250.
2008 Toyota Corolla optional equipment at Edmunds

[letsgoskatepool]

Toyota has paid off its R/D department many times over and can afford to sell their product cheaper. This company has come in with little capitol and as a third party (with no help from Benz). I cannot imagine how much they have invested in the product. If you wait long enough, the company may break even and then can afford to lower the price. The market is still relatively small and in any small market, the price needs to offset the lack in demand.

[Cruise451]

Originally Posted by Cruising n Coasting

How did you determine the cost factor? Is it based on other factory options? The number just seems too easy and not well thought out.

I am just curious why it so much more expensive than other dealers with a warranty. Just look at this breakdown for a 2008 Toyota Carolla, the cc has a list price of $250.
2008 Toyota Corolla optional equipment at Edmunds

What by any stretch of the imagination would it have to do with other manuufacturer's prices? you pick the world's most common car for your example, so let's look at that. They make ten million cruise controls meaning they get them made in China for like a buck eighty each and sell it for $250 and OUR price is too high??

Obviously it costs us much more than $250 just to make the things. There was a year of R&D in this project... that doesn't come cheap. But even ignoring all the investment, just the components cost way more than Toyota's. It is comparing apples to oranges. The Toyota like most cars uses a traditional throttle system so they use a traditional cruise. You can get that from auto parts dealers for $80 so paying $250 is insane. The smart is different. If it wasn't, I wouldn't be doing this.

Incidentally, adding cruise to a Ferrari costs $3500. So I guess this one is a steal.

Craig

[Cruise451]

Originally Posted by letsgoskatepool

Toyota has paid off its R/D department many times over and can afford to sell their product cheaper. This company has come in with little capitol and as a third party (with no help from Benz). I cannot imagine how much they have invested in the product. If you wait long enough, the company may break even and then can afford to lower the price. The market is still relatively small and in any small market, the price needs to offset the lack in demand.

yeah,that!

that said it perfectly. Ignore the book I wrote

Craig

[Smart Enuf]

Sheesh people, give the 451parts guys a break. Think about the product design work, software development and debugging, testing, fault tree analysis, etc. that went into this. All of this designed to fit within the existing wiper stalk. And designed to be installed by a do-it-yourselfer. I'd like to see any of you come up with that and make it profitable at a $480 price point. Some of you think nothing about plunking down $250-$500+ for speakers and a couple hundred for things that don't even have moving parts (e.g., $200 for pedal covers, $100 for an air scoop). But it's like a capital crime was committed if someone offers an add-on cruise control designed specifically for the smart with an MSRP of $480.

[jwight]

Well said. As Craig asked, please go to the Area 451 discussion forum Area 451 Parts Support Forum - Index if you'd like to get more info or ask questions about the cruise control. BTW, Craig is/was one of the design team, not the guy who makes the business decisions - like the suggested MSRP. Unfortunately, the original forum site devoted to the development of this cruise control was shut down when it transitioned from R&D to nearing production; a lot of history there on how the development process worked and the level of effort involved in coming up with a cruise control that will integrate with the smart's computers. A lot more than simply connecting a few wires.