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.