Germany, Japan & Korea have managed to keep their domestic car manufacturing despite high eages and 1st world working conditions.
IMO with AI/Robotisation , car manufacturing is now capital-energy intensive rather than labour intensive and in order to make the cost of robotisation work, an economy of scale is requires.
The problem with minimising labour content and the ongoing need for better fuel economy and cleaner exhaust emissions, the design parameters have changed in order of priority:
They used to be: -durability -reliability -ergonomics -safety -fuel economy etc
Now that's changed -Cad/Cam to reduce labour inputs -fuel economy (lighter cars etc) & exhaust emissions * -safety (airbags instead of heavier structures)
Consequently with more electronics, more plastics/lighter cars durability and reliability has been thrown out the window.
For example EGR (exhaust Gas reticulation) which reduces NX gases also reduces the life exectancy of the engine because the recycled exhaust gas contains abrasive carbon which wears pistons, rings and polished bores.
No wonder the motor manufacturers are promoting the "recycleability" of car components......this is code for saying that the cars wont last as long as their predecessors IMO.
AND of course new car manufacturers are giving "free" towing service eg: RACQ membership just in case your new car would go into "limp mode" or worse.
