Hacker News Reader

Most cars I’ve ever had don’t have auto-off headlights because the extra parts cost a few dollars and that eats into margins and growth must continue infinitely thanks to rent-seeking shareholders. Capitalism will corrupt engineering whenever it is in the interests of capitalists to do so.

View on HN

You don't need extra parts, these are no headlights, but an IoT modem that already has power saving fearures on chip. It just needs an ignition signal and programming to go to sleep when it's not there.

You must have had very crappy cars, because I rented a 2022 Renault Clio this spring and it had very good ergonomics. I was quite amazed. Only an older Hyunday i3 that I know of had annoying electrical quirks. But hey, there are tiktok videos on how to steal current Hyundai and Kia cars.

https://www.theverge.com/23742425/kia-boys-car-theft-steal-t...

Communist automotive engineering departments by contrast are notorious for their near-decadent focus on customer satisfaction.

Is a lada really much different in that regard as a cold war era gm car?

Yes. Yes it is. The Lada's engine compartment isn't choked to death with hundreds of vacuum lines trying to reduce/control emissions...

Reply on news.ycombinator.com