Wednesday, January 23, 2008

2008 Detroit auto show

Ashtrays, lighters go way of tailfins
Outlets, storage claim their space as standard features in new vehicles.

Tom Greenwood / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- Who's got the ashtrays?

Apparently no one has an ashtray today, at least when it comes to cars and trucks. What used to be a standard item on every car made in America has largely become an option on today's vehicles.

The spot that used to feature a "push in, pop out" glowing lighter now houses a "power outlet" for cell phones, laptop computers and portable GPS units. And the ashtray that used to store cigarette butts has been replaced by extra storage space or a cup holder.

According to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the trend toward "smokeless cars" is likely to continue for three reasons: pressure from anti-smoking groups, fewer smokers and the need for the extra storage space.

A check of display vehicles at the North American International Auto Show turned up very few cars and trucks with ashtrays/lighters as standard equipment. None of the vehicles checked at the Jeep display featured an ashtray, including the top-end Jeep Commander Overland 4x4.

The $45,300 vehicle came with GPS, Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth communications and a multitude of safety features -- but no ashtray.

And vehicles without ashtrays are just fine with Barb Labadie of Beverly Hills.

"I don't smoke, and I don't allow smoking in my car," said Labadie, 62. "But I remember when every car had an ashtray and lighter and folks really used them. My Rendezvous has an ashtray, but I use it to store toothpicks."

Drivers who do want one can purchase a "smokers group" option for an additional fee of from $15 to $100, depending on the vehicle.

All models of Chrysler and Dodge minivans have included extra storage space instead of ashtrays since 1996. Many other manufacturers, such as Cadillac, Saturn, Infiniti and Honda, are leaning more and more toward smokeless vehicles.

"I'm not surprised," said Marysville resident Chip Cieslinski, as he stretched out in a $61,000 Lexus LS460, which did feature a "hideaway" ashtray.

"In fact, I'm pleased about it. It says a lot about how people view smoking today. I'm 48, and when I was growing up, every car had an ashtray. Today I drive a Pontiac Grand Prix and it doesn't have an ashtray."

However, the manufacturers of top-end vehicles such as Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Rolls Royce still design their vehicles with lighter and ashtrays as standard equipment.

The trend towards smoke-free cars frustrates smoker J.P. Langworthy of Kalamazoo.

"It's not right; people expect them in their cars," said Langworthy, 24, sitting in the front seat of a Mercedes-Benz.

"Do you know what smokers have to go through today just to smoke? It's like they're trying to erase us from history.

"Even nonsmokers can use ashtrays to hide things or to store spare change."

Langworthy opened a small compartment on the console and broke into a grin.

"All right, it's an ashtray and lighter.

"Wait a minute; that's a power outlet and there's a 'no smoking' symbol stamped on the bottom of the tray. It's a storage area! I should have known better."