Why no column shift on UK Explorers

[booke23]

Hi all,

I was wondering why on the UK version of the explorer, there is no column shift option. I spent a very pleasant 2 weeks driving around Canada in an explorer with a column shift, and we really don't know what we are missing....

....the column shift frees up so much space betwen the front seats....theres even a place to put your drinks, and crisps in the centre!! Having a foot operated parking brake was the final touch in decluttering the armrest area.

Is there some UK/EU rule that prohibits the column shift?

 

[briwayjones]

Hehe, there are a few threads on here where people with N. American Explorers were asking why they don't have the center floor shift and parking brake and want their Explorers to be like that.

 

[Anime]

For automatic transmissions, floor shifters are a European/Japanese standard, and column shifters have been on American vehicles for a long time. I'm pretty sure it was done to appeal to whats most common in the local market. Same goes for the hand operated parking brake.