Why do Automakers remove all the Knobs and Switches at Auto Shows?

Jim Morrison, lead singer of iconic 1960’s rock band “The Doors,” once wrote a song called “People are Strange.” Nowhere is that more evident than when you survey the interiors of vehicles on display at auto shows held around the world. There, many cars have all of their easily stolen knobs and switches removed when they are on show.

Things were no different at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. We realize that it must be costly for manufacturers to lose pricey shifters and air conditioning knobs but so often their absence makes a vehicle’s interior look downright tacky. One Honda Civic Si on display had its entire gearshift and cover removed exposing the cheesy looking metal and plastic beneath. Was this necessary?

Exactly how many times are these things stolen when the dashboard is left intact? Is there no manner of industrial adhesive that could be used to make it really difficult for someone to steal these parts? And would it really bankrupt Honda, Toyota, or Hyundai if these trim pieces occasionally disappeared?

Just so you know, these three highly successful manufacturers are the worst offenders when it comes to displaying only half-built interiors. We know it isn’t impossible to leave a dashboard intact as Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW don’t make a habit of butchering their own vehicles when they are out in the open.

Our view? Why can’t auto manufacturers leave these trim pieces where God and interior designers intended them to be? Is it so hard to show a little trust and hope that not all Auto Show patrons are kleptomaniacs? We realize that “people are strange,” but wouldn’t it make give these display vehicles that much more showroom appeal to possible purchasers if all of their parts were intact? We think so.