I agree.
The idiot who suggested the switch placement behind the steering wheel should be taken behind the barn for an ass-whipping. Encouraging people to reach around or through the steering wheel while driving is unsafe.
The optional wiring “optional” wiring harness extension, which seems to be required for either installation location, may not be long enough to rach the console. I can’t find any information on that.
The biggest problem with this upfitter option is it doesn’t include the benefits of literally every other factory accessory switch package: folks who opt for this installation will have to run separate, fused, hot wires for every exterior accessory they want to run. GM engineers could have included a plug-n-play wiring harness in the factory loom. They’d still be able to gouge us for another $550 for the switch kit — in fact there would be more incentive to accept the beating, because once done you’d have a sanitary and complete solution. As it is, every trip through the firewall is a painful exercise in contortion, especially for those of us over 50. Or 60. I’m 6’3” with long arms, but reaching the preferred firewall hole is very difficult, and I have to feel, cut, and operate by braille. I can do it, but I’m cussing GM the entire time, and my time and discomfort are worth something (to me, obviously not to GM). Enough cussing and discomfort over stuff like this and I’ll be back to looking hard at the Ford F350 Tremors.