La ESTAFA de lo PREMIUM: ¿Nos toman por tontos las marcas de coches?

In this video, we take an in-depth look at what I've decided to call "the new premium scam." A phenomenon that has become blatantly obvious after the microchip crisis and the 2020 pandemic. Manufacturers have learned a dangerous lesson for consumers' wallets: it's much more profitable to sell fewer units, but at a much higher price. Much higher. #cars #automobiles Become a member of this channel to enjoy perks:    / @garajehermético   Historically, mainstream brands like Citroën, Fiat, Hyundai, and Seat thrived on economies of scale: manufacturing millions of cars with a small profit margin per unit. However, the paradigm shifted radically in 2024 and 2025. Groups like Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz are reporting record profits despite selling lower volumes. The "trick" lies in disguising basic models as high-end vehicles through superficial equipment and "aspirational" marketing strategies. The triumph of makeup over engineering The concept of luxury has mutated in a worrying way. Technical sophistication, millimeter-precise adjustment, and mechanical durability are no longer the priorities; instead, immediate visual impact is the goal. Brands are replacing chassis engineers with "lifestyle" experts. They sell you a "connected life experience" so you stop asking about the type of engine or whether the rear axle is multi-link. Today, luxury is measured in screen inches and the number of colors available for ambient lighting. Platform genealogy: The shared skeleton One of the key aspects of this invisible cost-saving is the use of modular platforms. They are, essentially, a giant construction set. Take the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform as an example: it's the basis for both a reasonably priced Skoda Fabia and an Audi TT or VW Arteon that cost three times as much. You pay a huge premium for the "skin," but the skeleton is exactly the same as your neighbor's car. The same is true of Stellantis' CMP/STLA Small platform. It's the basis for the Peugeot 208, the Opel Corsa, the Jeep Avenger, and the new Lancia Ypsilon. If you stripped away the bodywork, they'd be indistinguishable. Five brands, five different price points, but a single technical soul. Even brands like BMW have sacrificed their DNA, abandoning rear-wheel drive in their entry-level models to share the UKL platform with Mini. The result is that a current 1 Series has more in common with a Mini Countryman than with the legendary "driving machines" that forged the Bavarian brand's legend. The "trick" of aspirational appeal and shared engines Brands have popularized the term "aspirational" as a watered-down substitute for "premium." We analyze blatant cases where cosmetic changes attempt to justify exorbitant prices: -Cupra: A marketing success story that gets you to pay thousands of euros extra for a Seat Leon with matte paint and copper-colored details. Mechanically, it's the same car with more "showmanship." -DS Automobiles: Beneath the diamond-stitched leather of a DS 7, there often beats a 1.2 PureTech three-cylinder engine that you might find in a delivery van. -Alpine: The spectacular A110 uses light and audio controls from a Renault Clio IV in a car that costs around 75,000 euros. The loss of identity extends to the heart of the vehicle. Today, the emblem on the hood doesn't guarantee exclusive mechanics. The controversial 1.3 gasoline engine developed jointly by Mercedes and Renault (M282 block) is used in everything from a humble Dacia Duster to a Mercedes A-Class. Mercedes claims they "fine-tune" it, but the iron block is the same. Would you pay for a luxury Swiss watch if you knew its movement was a basic quartz movement? China and Digital Obsolescence The rise of Chinese manufacturers has finally exposed the shortcomings of traditional brands. Brands like Zeekr and Omoda offer interiors with double glazing and state-of-the-art processors at European mainstream prices. They've understood that today's customer values ​​a gadget more than an engine. A brilliant example of marketing is calling ordinary synthetic leather "vegan leather" to make it seem like an eco-friendly and exclusive innovation. Historical Precedents: The Original Sin Although repurposing parts has a long history, it used to be considered an engineering curiosity. From the De Tomaso Pantera with Alfa Romeo headlights to the Lamborghini Diablo, which used Nissan 300ZX headlights covered with carbon fiber trim. Even the Jaguar XJ220, the fastest car of its time, used Citroën CX wing mirrors for pure aerodynamic efficiency. The difference is that before, it was done to improve performance or for economies of scale in secondary parts; today, it's done to maximize profit by disguising mediocrity.