I recall a programme or video discussing car manufacturers responses to the pandemic driven shortages of components and how they realised that the restrictions it meant on output, actually helped drive up prices...and profits. Prior to that, only luxury brands had managed this, restricted supply, prices high.
The program quoted how.major.manufacturers were suddenly making buge profits theyd never managed to do when mass producing.
At the same time, some manufacturers were dropping small cheap models like the Fiesta because there was little profit in them...effect, no more cheap cars so people have to spend more.
And of course,, that limited availability works it's way into the 2nd hand market, pushing up prices.
It's a win win for manufacturers, a lose lose for customers. But then, we're cars too cheap pre pandemic ? A 10 year old car was scorned and had little value in people's perceptions (i always thought at least)...now, its deemed perfectly acceptable.
