Have you always thought about how new cars in the market are too tame? Pickups, for example. Sure, they’re rugged and can sometimes be intimidating on the road, but are they missing that extra oomph you’re looking for? A quick solution to that predicament is to accessorize your ride as you please—granted that everything you add to or change in your car is within road laws and regulations, of course.
But what if in doing so, you void your brand-new car’s warranty?
This is where special variants or editions come in. We’re sure you’re already familiar with them: Toyota Hilux Conquest, Nissan Navara N-Warrior, Isuzu D-Max Boondock, and more. If you haven’t realized it yet, these are cars for buyers who want their pickups with a more rugged bodykit and a few sporty accents. But instead of these trucks getting those things from custom shops, they will roll out of the dealership with the add-ons—and with the standard warranty intact.
Product planning for these models varies per brand. It also takes months of studying the market, the consumers, and the competition. Plus, manufacturers have to find the perfect suppliers. In effect, to save you the hassle of buying aftermarket parts from shops and Facebook groups, car brands launch these special-edition variants with a premium included on top of the standard variants’ retail prices.
Does the upgraded version then become too expensive, or is it bang for the buck? Remember, the added parts and costs have been carefully considered by product planners. If you know your way around the aftermarket scene, you’d probably know whether the higher price is worth it or not.
Brands have to find out what the majority of consumers want to add to the standard variant in order to make the special edition appealing to all buyers, whose taste in mods could range from conservative to outrageous. Units of these cars are sometimes limited as well, and depending on the market feedback, manufacturers roll out more to accommodate.
If you are a prospective buyer who wants a modified ride but has no time to start a project, maybe this is the perfect route for you. What do you think about the special variants available on the market?
