Why does Mazda . . . .

Not include ABS as a "standard" feature on the Tribute, if you get the 4x4? Just doesn't make sense. I had one moron Mazda salesman tell me that the Mazda doesn't need ABS because their brakes are so much better than Fords! Duh. I told him that the Trib. and the Escape are the same vehicle underneath the sheet metal and trim! But, why doesn't Mazda just put on ABS automatically? Mysteries of marketing, I suppose.

>not include ABS as a standard feature< (as Ford does)? When the decision was made two years ago, Japan was in a recession and the Mazda engineers believed that such an expensive and complex feature that doesn't stop you any faster than ordinary brakes should be optional to keep the price down. We have been in a booming economy until recently so Ford engineers chose to make ABS standard because it helps you steer better in a panic stop. The stopping is about the same.

HUH???????? This has nothing to to with price on ABS....the ABS/SIDE BAG option is because of features people said in a poll survey what they would like standard....Mazda ended up putting quite a bit of standard things like 16" alloys, etc..vs. ford got 15"...it is simply a difference of equipment option packages. There are quite a few people who DON'T want ABS....however, Mazda should have offered the side airbags as a stand alone option and made ABS standard on ES at least...<br><br>As for Mazda not putting it in for recession reasons.&gt;....nope...good theory but we never had the option as standard even back in the beginning when the product was in development....<br><br>bob