Rear (Torso) Side Airbags Are Optional?

[Cranky]

The articles posted indicate that front side airbags (for the torso, not the side curtains) are standard.

But they also indicate that rear side airbags are optional.

Why?

MB vehicles, at least in the U.S, come standard with front and side rear airbags. MB hasn't made such safety features optional in the past, why start now?

Is it because MB is now concerned about whether these bags can hurt out-of-position occupants? Drew had said that MB was confident of its rear side airbags (even with children) and thus ships their vehicles with all airbags activated. With BMW you have to sign a waiver to get the rear airbags activated.

Following the theme that Curt Rich espouses (with MB "safety is not an option"), MB should make the new NECK-PRO head restraints standard equipment, and not optional.

Or is the article wrong?

[jean7of9]

I think it is more a "Cost Cutting" measure than a security issue. Since BMW could (and still) get away with it why not MB. In Canada, the rear side Air Bags are optional. I paid Can$400 for this option on my 03 330xi. My E320 4matic came equipped with the rear air bags.

[Cranky]

Hopefully that article is just plain mistaken, or just for the European market (and the article is written for the Euro market after all), and the rear side airbags and NECK-PRO are standard.

The M-class options list posted here from the Portland dealership does not list rear side airbags and NECK-PRO as options, AFAIK. So I'm hopeful the article is wrong or at least not indicative of the North American market.

[GregW / Oregon]

As Cranky says, this option is probably just for Europe. If you read the US option list I posted previously, there is no listing for these. I would bet they are standard for the US, where they are expected in a vehicle of this type and class.