Its a reality of the current global auto business, saving costs while making room for increased technology.
Back in the days of mechanical vehicles we all knew who was putting more "substance" in a vehicle, and who was skimping. The trick was to make components that lasted beyond the duration of the warranty. The substance was "how much longer" would they last.
At one point The Colonel made the following observation about a specific manufacturer "They shortened the license plate screws what else have they measured and cut?"
In the auto industry at times it made better economic sense for a manufacturer to pay out claims, than re engineer specific components which would have been more costly. Reflect on this for a moment...
Back in the day the spread between MSRP and cost was 15% and on some models a touch more, and the usual holdback amount. When you finished doing a deal the gross was 8-10% of cost plus the holdback. Obvious back then customers concluded that dealers were making 30-40-50% gross.
Today the spread between MSRP and cost is 8-10%, then there are the monthly incentives from the manufacturers, so much cash back, or such a rate, or a combination of both. In addition to volume bonuses for dealers if they reach specific targets. Its dynamic and changing on an as needed basis to move iron.
Better yet customers expect this dynamic pricing on a monthly basis to incite them to finalise a decision. The customer got a great deal with a compelling promotion, while the dealer hit the volume bonus with that vehicle.
If you have a "feeling " that current dynamic pricing incites manufacturers to increase their cost saving efforts, you might be correct.
If you have the feeling that "strong" components still cost money, you might be correct.
Between cost savings, less platforms, increased common components, the product is better than back in the day. While the components will outlast the warranty on the vehicle.
Some manufacturers are more aggressive in their cost saving efforts than others, components come from the other side of the planet to save the last fraction of a penny.
Every manufacturer benchmarks the competition, everyone is learning from everybody.
There are a gazillion cost saving decisions made around the planet on a daily basis, its perhaps naive to think that all these decisions have been thought out, and reflected. Although they should, we have seen that with common components, be it air bags, to software code. When the shit hits the fan its in the million of units.
While the technology content of any vehicle increases its disposability, and although the mechanical components might endure for decades with proper maintenance, the technology has a best before date.
What do you think?