Dem - that argument makes a good deal of sense. I would propose that the pendulum swung too far.

On the other hand I suggest that Mercedes does not want its cars to last as long any more because they want new car sales. Granted there will always be a market for new ones - but that market is greater if the older cars just basically fall apart.

Actually I suspect that technology failures - replacement of failed computer driven items - are more likely to make us junk the newer cars as we are just not willing to spend the dollars for repair/replacements. But I still think the base mechanicals will also not last as long.

Call me an old fogey.