This is a really good comment about uniform production and subsidy of base models that would otherwise make a loss.

The margin on a car isn't the margin on the materials and labour of that individual car on the line.

Many base models barely break even and recoup some costs in dealer servicing, finance and whatnot.

If software locks (not subscription) enable more of the subsidising then I'm all for it. Also I'm for it as hackers we can get around the limitations.

Rent seeking is always a bad thing for the consumer however.