Automakers really don't want to build crappy cars, at least any manufacturer who wants to be around longer than the length of their warranty period. But building a reliable automobile is a bigger deal than one might expect and then when you add all the other incentives pushing you to build junky cars, like costs, shareholder value, timelines, budget constraints, etc...and the job becomes downright tricky. At one time, it is likely that manufacturers chose suppliers subsequently automotive components based on their specific lifespans, which weren't necessarily considered "indefinite."
This distinction is important because it suggests that car companies had the luxury of building cars that were really only designed to last a certain period of time of length in miles. The idea being that one, costs and other factors made it financially unsound to use stronger parts/systems (that pesky law of diminishing returns), and that if someone's car "wore out," they would be forced to re-enter the purchasing cycle and hopefully exercise some brand loyalty. When looking at some vehicles, for example, during the Reliant "K" cars days, and this notion really isn't that far of a stretch.
The days of calculated product durability and lax commitment to longevity however, are certainly a thing of the past, long steamrolled by global (and domestic) competition and improvements in technology. Cars are by no means expected to last forever, as brands typically compete within their specific markets for share, but at least one or two companies have adopted the "forever" goal, as idealistic as it may seem, and that has made their brands the most reliable and durable in the industry, both perceived and in practice. If Honda and Toyota (and their associate brands) come to mind, then they have done a good job, going the proverbial "extra mile."
In today's marketplace, you are quickly singled out if you employ less than bullet-proof components or cut corners, like a gazelle getting separated from the herd. This is something some domestics (and foreign) models continue to struggle with , especially with auto interiors.
This brand perception of quality and reliability has extended to the service and maintenance of vehicles after the sale. Although dealerships are for most brands seen as an unfortunate necessary evil with all the headaches and demands that come along with a network of people selling your product, the best brands have embraced the relationship and we are now seeing defined and elaborate programs designed from manufacturers with dealerships in mind to further develop and protect the coveted brand perception. With there is certainly a balance to maintained (dealerships make their money on the continual servicing and repair of cars, something in direct opposition with the reliable theme) dealerships now recognize the broader (sales) importance of having cars that simply last.
To read an article outlining how one manufacturer sees this important industry dynamic, click here.
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