When I was a teenager in the 1970s very FEW people could afford new cars. Indeed, it is was the car that indicated wealth (not houses!). At that time the U.S. was producing around 400 million tons of Oil. Saudi Arabia 100 million. By the time I graduated college the Saudis were producing close to 500 million! The gulf wars created some volatility, but if we get past that, the reason everyone ended up with new cars is right in that simple data. (I believe you moralize too much).

Electronics and plastics have made cars more efficient and cheaper. So I believe your argument that they make them more expensive (can't be fixed) is erroneous.

Instead, they mask the fundamental problem you bring up in most of your stories, including this. If we were making cars like the 1970s we'd be back to the 1970s today with only the very wealthy being able to afford new cars. We'd already be driving small cars (yes the manufacturers will eventually adjust, as they did during the oil shock).

Of course, we already ARE in a transition away from affordable cars even with all the efficiencies. One doesn't need to moralize? Just look at the current prices for a cars that are 80% plastic ;) That's how much the other 20% of materials is rising in (energy) cost!