Low priced ICE don't even really seem to exist and I think it is because they've essentially been regulated out of existence. Crash standards and emission stand

Low priced ICE don't even really seem to exist and I think it is because they've essentially been regulated out of existence. Crash standards and emission standards require a ton of technology even on the cheapest cars so there isn't much money to even be saved here. I actually think this is part of the "no one wants to work anymore" narrative. Like it not, America is setup so you need a car to go to work. And simple cars have been removed from the supply line. So it becomes a money losing proposition to work a really low paid job if you need to buy and maintain an expensive car just to get to it. I'm not even saying that improved emission standards and crash test requirements are a bad thing, just that the cost of them has to be absorbed somewhere.