That only works when the product is desirable and has credible high status. The whole point of this fiasco is that this design doesn't work as a Veblen signal.

That only works when the product is desirable and has credible high status. The whole point of this fiasco is that this design doesn't work as a Veblen signal. It has none of the usual Veblen signifiers - overt use of premium materials and/or ironic fragility, sculpted elegance, conspicuous high-touch over-engineering and stat play, aggressive animal magnetism, high-effort minimalism, distinctive heritage design. Instead it's nice - happy colours, toy car curves, improved ergonomics. It's literally all of the things you don't want in a premium product.