THE level of optional extras available for drivers to put on their vehicles is set to triple over the next few years according to motor marketing group, JATO Dynamics.

As competition in the industry heats up and technology improves, manufacturers will increase the equipment on new vehicles.

JATO managing director Tony Hayes said: 'There is a huge wave of new technologies and equipment beginning to hit us. We expect to see an increase in the average number of options per vehicle of 200% to 300% in a relatively short space of time. In Europe the numbers have grown by more than 50% in four years, from an average of 35 options per car in 1998 to 54 in 2002.'

But the growth could hinder, rather than help buyers (including used car buyers) as they could be confused by the number of extras.