2006 preview: Car Seats--BRITAX
Here's a wrap-up of what is coming out in 2006 for
Britax car seats.
BRITAX
As previously reported, Britax will launch watered down versions of its seats under the Fisher Price brand in December 2006. This will include a booster seat (a re-packaged StarRiser) for $79, a convertible that works up to 40 lbs for $159 (based on the Roundabout, but with a redesigned base and manual recline) and a convertible that works up to 55 lbs for $179 (based on the Decathlon). There will also be a Fisher Price infant seat for $199, based on the Companion but omitting the headrest.
Also: Britax will sell "Couture" covers for their best-selling convertible seats that will be a $25 to $35 premium above their non-couture seats. Guess if you have a Beamer, you want a cover that the unwashed heathen who drive Hondas don't have. There will be no other changes in the line with car seats for 2006.
The biggest news at Britax for 2006: a new "Global" travel system for $300 to $350. It will feature a full feature, full size stroller that is similar to the Peg Perego Venezia. The Britax Global will have a removable, reversible seat, full recline, parent tray and child tray. It will use the Companion infant seat. The full canopy extends with a peak-a-boo window. The 24 lb stroller features a aluminum frame, quick release wheels, full suspension and napper bar. Why the price difference? The $300 version will be a basic model with no parent tray and basic fabric, no extendable canopy and boot. The upper-end $350 model will add all those features.
All this would be great---if it were 1995. Unfortunately, no one told Britax that the Venezia is a dead stroller, as Peg's best-selling model is now the lighter-weight Pliko and Aria. Do parents really want a full feature, tank-like Britax stroller that pairs with their infant seat for over $300? Uh, well, we'll see what the market says. But if Britax wants a real success, it would pair the infant seat with a lightweight stroller like a Mac Techno for say $200. (No, the me-too Preview stroller doesn't count). Meanwhile we expect Britax to continue to flounder in the stroller/travel system market.
No other changes to the Britax line are scheduled for 2006---the Roundabout, Marathon, Boulevard, Decathlon, etc will all be unchanged for 2006.
Some pics from Britax's 2006 line up:
The Britax "Safe Voyage" is based off the Roundabout (same 40 lb limit) but has a re-designed base (see below). It will sell for $159. A second convertible model (not pictured) will sell for $179 and feature a 55 lb weight limit---that seat will be similar to the Decathlon.
The Fisher Price infant car seat (below) will run $119 and be similar to the Companion, but will omit the Companions fancy headrest.
As previously reported, Britax will launch watered down versions of its seats under the Fisher Price brand in December 2006. This will include a booster seat (a re-packaged StarRiser) for $79, a convertible that works up to 40 lbs for $159 (based on the Roundabout, but with a redesigned base and manual recline) and a convertible that works up to 55 lbs for $179 (based on the Decathlon). There will also be a Fisher Price infant seat for $199, based on the Companion but omitting the headrest.
Also: Britax will sell "Couture" covers for their best-selling convertible seats that will be a $25 to $35 premium above their non-couture seats. Guess if you have a Beamer, you want a cover that the unwashed heathen who drive Hondas don't have. There will be no other changes in the line with car seats for 2006.
The biggest news at Britax for 2006: a new "Global" travel system for $300 to $350. It will feature a full feature, full size stroller that is similar to the Peg Perego Venezia. The Britax Global will have a removable, reversible seat, full recline, parent tray and child tray. It will use the Companion infant seat. The full canopy extends with a peak-a-boo window. The 24 lb stroller features a aluminum frame, quick release wheels, full suspension and napper bar. Why the price difference? The $300 version will be a basic model with no parent tray and basic fabric, no extendable canopy and boot. The upper-end $350 model will add all those features.
All this would be great---if it were 1995. Unfortunately, no one told Britax that the Venezia is a dead stroller, as Peg's best-selling model is now the lighter-weight Pliko and Aria. Do parents really want a full feature, tank-like Britax stroller that pairs with their infant seat for over $300? Uh, well, we'll see what the market says. But if Britax wants a real success, it would pair the infant seat with a lightweight stroller like a Mac Techno for say $200. (No, the me-too Preview stroller doesn't count). Meanwhile we expect Britax to continue to flounder in the stroller/travel system market.
No other changes to the Britax line are scheduled for 2006---the Roundabout, Marathon, Boulevard, Decathlon, etc will all be unchanged for 2006.
Some pics from Britax's 2006 line up:
The Britax "Safe Voyage" is based off the Roundabout (same 40 lb limit) but has a re-designed base (see below). It will sell for $159. A second convertible model (not pictured) will sell for $179 and feature a 55 lb weight limit---that seat will be similar to the Decathlon.
The Fisher Price infant car seat (below) will run $119 and be similar to the Companion, but will omit the Companions fancy headrest.
Posted: Tue - September 13, 2005 at 05:11 PM
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Published On: Feb 24, 2007 09:37 AM
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Published On: Feb 24, 2007 09:37 AM