You’re correct that inflation is only part of higher prices and slower sales.  As discussed earlier, manufacturers can’t force enough people to buy EVs at a profitable price, so they subsidize EV sales by artificially raising ICEV and HEV prices, using extra profit to discount EVs.  However, that has volume limits.   Inflation also doesn’t directly relate to affordability because there are way too many other factors to consider.  And just like manufacturers can choose which vehicles to prioritize in order to maximize profits, buyers can also prioritize spending available funds on other items.  When families spend more on healthier food, larger houses, or electronics/media, there is less left for vehicles.  Higher priced vehicles, motorhomes as an example coming to mind, have taken a huge hit.  Transportation needs and priorities change, and  manufacturers won’t have a choice but to adapt.   I think the very wealthy won’t be affected one way or the other, but they represent a small percentage of population.  The vast majority of buyers seem to be tapping the brakes on highest-cost vehicles; much like what has been happening with motorhomes.  When RV manufacturers couldn’t sell as many 35-ft Class As, they started to offer more compact Class Cs and van campers.  They are meeting a shift in buyer priorities.

Yea, and that's gonna happen. It's a question of when. There's nothing that European governments and automakers can do to prevent them Chinese competitors from eventually being let loose throughout Europe

Only SOME automakers stopped selling cheaper cars.  They were still available.  Inflation accounts for $10k of the $16k increase.  A lot of the rest is simply people buying less cheap cars and more expensive utilities and trucks.  What did change is they stopped selling vehicles that never made money or they raised prices to where they should have been all along - in the 5%+ margin range.

Don't blame inflation for the price of new cars   By the numbers: The average price paid for a new car at the beginning of 2014 was $32,250. By November 2024, that had risen by $16,500 — or 51% — to $48,750.   The truth is the automakers intentionally prioritize selling their most expensive vehicles over their less expensive vehicles during the chip shortage. When the chip shortage abated, they discontinued many of their low-cost vehicles further pushing the average cost for a new car higher. Which has resulted in record profits and margins for the automakers, in a lower volume new car market. 

Do you not understand inflation?

Even if Chinese were out of picture, I think European EV manufacturers will adjust if buyers simply can not afford or refuse to pay the higher EV prices.  A BMW or Mercedes may end up designed and with content of a Ford or Stellantis to make them more affordable, which means a Ford may have to be a stripped-down version of today’s models.  I personally don’t think Europe will get to that point because mandates will be revised as needed to keep buyers (citizens and therefore voters) happy, otherwise as voters they will replace decision makers supporting mandates.

The difference is that in America, you now see the consequences of those higher prices in mounting unsold inventory. So there’s an opportunity for the market to self correct.   In Europe, the directive now forces buyers  to purchase those higher priced BEVs as other lower priced non-compliant alternatives are being cut back. Those higher prices being paid for BEVs will only correct if the Chinese brands are let loose.    

Exactly, my 2022 Bronco Black Diamond had a recall to update the tire pressure sticker in the door jamb. They sent it to me by mail with instructions to just overlay on the existing sticker.

There it is.

How about a picture or two?