Not only in the US. 15 years ago when aircon wasn't yet standard in Germany, they added it to all cars anyways and just deactivated the controls in software. So

Not only in the US. 15 years ago when aircon wasn't yet standard in Germany, they added it to all cars anyways and just deactivated the controls in software. So you still get decreased mileage from weight and friction for the compressor, increased accident-risk for the gas filling, but have to pay extra to get a bit flipped at your friendly dealer to use it...