The main reason vehicles are becoming less and less affordable is all the mandated equipment the government is forcing automakers to install.
It started with ABS and TPMS, but now monitoring and spyware is minding your every move. New vehicles as of next year will even be checking your mental state and refusing to run if you don’t meet their pre-loaded parameters.
And loans. No one can afford cash. Was just looking at base model Toyota tundras. $78,000. The dealers just tell the monthly payment and not what the vehicle actually costs. The cost so much because people are willing to take out a mortgage for a car.