When buying a new car, is it necessary to install additional options?

Compared to the world average, car models in Vietnam are at a disadvantage when they are "cut" of many convenient equipment or functions on cars for drivers and passengers (options). However, car companies always affirm that the reduction of "unnecessary" options has been carefully researched to suit the physical condition of Vietnamese people.

There are many options on the market for customers to choose from. However, to avoid buying unnecessary options, consumers should research carefully before deciding to buy a product.

Is it necessary to buy additional options?

Basically no. Because the necessary equipment is almost available on the car. For example, the necessary safety features on the car are: Airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Steering Assist System, etc.

These safety features are available on almost all cars priced above 500 million VND or new models. For cheap cars or old cars, you only need to focus on safety features such as airbags and some warning systems such as ABS, BA, etc.

In addition to safety features, Vietnamese consumers are spending a lot of money on car entertainment devices, some convenient equipment on cars such as: Smart key with push-button start; Automatic electric folding exterior rearview mirror; Automatic temperature control air conditioner; Electronic anti-glare interior rearview mirror; Automatic on/off wipers and speed adjustment;...

Some entertainment features such as: Smart electronic board, upgraded surround speaker system, equipped with TV in the car, electronic board,.... According to the survey of PV, the selling price of the installed options has many types, expensive and cheap, and has many different origins.

Mr. Do Trung Ta, a car "tuner" on Xa Dan Street (Hanoi) said that genuine or imported options are quite expensive; while options imported from China are half the price: "Currently, Vietnamese consumers pay a lot of attention to safety options, some safety equipment such as reverse sensors, distance sensors, 360-degree sensors,... especially dash cams are the most purchased".

What options should be installed?

According to Mr. Ta's advice, when buying a car, customers should pay attention to safety features such as: Airbag system; ABS braking system; Anti-slip system.

If your financial situation is not good, you should buy a car with basic options, not too much technology but just enough safety equipment. For convenience equipment, you should pay attention to: Automatic air conditioning; Push-button start; Sunroof; Automatic headlights; Automatic wipers.

Some basic options that are really necessary for new car buyers include: Heat-insulating film, dash cam installation, leather seat covers, sensors and smart control panels.

Mr. Ta emphasized that consumers should focus on safety features such as reverse sensors, forward cameras or 360-degree cameras.

Specifically, heat-insulating film has a market price ranging from 700,000 - 8 million VND, depending on the car model and origin of the product. Of course, you get what you pay for, cheap stickers will not have the same quality as more expensive products.

Car insulation film has the effect of preventing heat for the car, blocking ultraviolet rays, UV causing dark skin, sunburn, increasing aesthetics and privacy because it will be difficult for the outside to see who is inside the car, what they are doing. Increase safety when an accident occurs, broken glass, the glass fragments will be retained by the film layer in a whole piece without falling into pieces.

In addition, customers pay attention to leather/fabric seat covers. Because leather seats often deteriorate very quickly, and are also expensive. Therefore, to increase the life of the car, it is necessary to cover it to maintain its aesthetics.

Finally, there are utility options integrated with entertainment features. There are many entertainment options on the market today, but they are integrated with utility features such as smart signage systems, smart maps, phone connectivity, car speaker systems via Bluetooth, etc. These options are quite expensive, averaging from 5 to 20 million VND, with some options over 50 million VND.