2007-03-19 00:46:16 · 3 answers · asked by k3lvc 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
My Golf has 2 equally sized mirrors (including blind spot for driver) whereas a french equivalent (same model) has 1 full size and 1 half size mirror.
2007-03-19 00:56:04 · update #1
Hi
This will be because the drivers mirror has a built in blind spot view which allows the driver to see what is passing him without having to glance over his or her shoulder.
Cheers
Geordie
2007-03-19 00:52:57 · answer #1 · answered by Grizz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is common on LHD VW-group products.
Simply, the regulations insist the mirror has a particular field of view, when viewed from the driver's seat.
On the passenger-side mirror, because the driver is further from the mirror, it is possible to get this field of view with a smaller mirror - which costs slightly less to produce.
However, the number of cars the VW group sell in right-hand-drive is less than they sell in left-hand-drive. The cost saving per mirror is not enough to justify the additional investment in new tooling for a small left-hand mirror and housing. Therefore it is cheaper over the lifecycle of the vehicle to use the larger mirror (using the housing used on the driver's side of the LHD car) on the passenger's side of the RHD versions, than to invest in tooling to produce a smaller mirror.
2007-03-19 01:28:38 · answer #2 · answered by Neil 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure but a lot of German built cars are like this.
2007-03-19 12:03:48 · answer #3 · answered by Bandit600 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋