Planned Obsolescence by Auto Manufacturers

[Cpt Adama]

I was interested in purchasing a new Gladiator in January 2026, but am having concerns about Stellantis after watching this video highlighting a documentary about the disgusting corporate greed of European auto makers.



Now I'm having second thoughts and my just stay in my bare bones 2008 JK Wrangler.

Any thoughts or advise from the wise and experienced, here at Gladiator Forums?

Sponsored

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Haven't uploaded a video to YouTube in awhile, but is it now a prerequisite to put a dumb face with every video thumbnail that goes on YouTube?

 

[Great Offender]

So greed is isolated to European car manufacturers? Hope the American companies don't hear about this. Before you know it everybody will be doing it. All it took was a YouTube video. Wow!

 

[Jrgunn5150]

That's our primary job as engineers, to make things as hard as possible for mechanics to work on and make sure that they fail precisely after warranty is up so you buy another one from us, because after such a rotten experience, why wouldn't you?

 

[Cansberry]

Man. Whatever happened to people knowing not to believe everything they see on the internet? Especially a site where any idiot with an iPhone and a tripod can toss their opinion out there

 

[Brad.Clarkston]

1.) "Streamers" are for entertainment not for information.
2.) The only thing that's more modifiable than a Jeep is a Harley.

Even if Stellantis is that stupid (they are) Jeeps are a "bolt on" vehicle design you can literately change everything with a good socket & wrench set (well maybe a bit more than that).

I wouldn't worry to much about the Glady's if you like it buy it they are a life changing vehicle once you get into them.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Thinking up how to ruin your life right now!

 

[Cpt Adama]

Man. Whatever happened to people knowing not to believe everything they see on the internet? Especially a site where any idiot with an iPhone and a tripod can toss their opinion out there

Not quite the reaction I was expecting from this group, but FYI this is a highlight of an hour documentary which has documented proof from company emails and case history, as well as lawsuits. Not just some random keyboard warrior.

 

[Mr._Bill]

This has been going on for decades. It's not just Auto Manufacturers, it's all Manufacturers. Products are no longer designed to last, they are designed to last just long enough that the complaints are minimal at replacement time.

 

[Chasm]

People were talking about "planned obsolescence" of appliances and electronics 25 years ago when I got the fridge, stove, washer, drier, and TV that I still use.

 

[hayduke-TX]

People were talking about "planned obsolescence" of appliances and electronics 25 years ago when I got the fridge, stove, washer, drier, and TV that I still use.

Count yourself lucky. You got in in on the tail of the good stuff.

 

[Brad.Clarkston]

Not quite the reaction I was expecting from this group, but FYI this is a highlight of an hour documentary which has documented proof from company emails and case history, as well as lawsuits. Not just some random keyboard warrior.

I'm not sure what reaction you expected? He's not even a dedicated Jeep or car streamer, he's one of those goofy face jump scare guys and not even a very big one. His only stick is "shocking" people, after looking at his play list I have absolutely no intention of ever watching anything from him.

I'm probably pretty jaded at this point I'm going to doubt the amount of work he put into that video most of those guys just run an AI tool to find out what they should do next and make shit up. The fact that he's mostly right on the subject doesn't make him right. As others have pointed out this has been going on for at least the last 20 years.

 

[Chaos Theory]

They're not 'built to fail", they are built with parts from the lowest bidders, using the cheapest-possible methods.

They simply will fail. When is irrelevant as long as most of it holds up until after warranties expire.

 

[LZY HIKR]

Uh, yeah.
The former CEO of Stellantis has bragged about this in not so many words. He was exceptionally aggressive and short-sighted and it cost him his job. I heard he cried all the way to bank to deposit his 8 figure severance.

If you want to avoid this, lease your Jeep, or sell after a couple years, or stick with what you have.

As others have said, there doesn't seem to be any major manufacturers who care much about their products' longevity these days. And why should they? Consumers buy according to marketing anyways.

 

[Lunentucker]

People were talking about "planned obsolescence" of appliances and electronics 25 years ago when I got the fridge, stove, washer, drier, and TV that I still use.

Keep them.
The new ones are all crap.

Sponsored