yeah, I've seen many "cost reductions" go through OEM that were supposed to be "as good or better than the part it replaces"....
Most/all of the "changes' were NOT "as good or better than the original part it replaced" and just barely met the durability requirements.
Would you rather have an aluminum or plastic intake manifold?
Would you like to run a 1/8" thinner single row timing chain?
Have you noticed that there is no more tint on the top 4" of the windshield? Another cost reduction. And they didn't decrease the cost of the car when they got the savings....
Yeah, I've heard the "quality" song and dance many times.....