Don't talk cok VW, it is very obvious that the cost cutting measures are there in the new Jetta. Compared to the previous Gen Jetta, which really felt well build with good quality soft touch materials, the new ones is outright cost cutting. No cost cutting then why so many hard plastics? And the design looks worse compared to previous Jetta as far as the interior is concern?

I agreed on the plasticky interior especially on the doors. But the panel to access the boot existed in my jetta 2011.

I'm not a business/logistics expert, but throughout my life, I've been taught that a 10 cent cost reduction at the factory will lead to $1,000 cheaper at the customer. Hence, consumers like me, always scratch their head when a 10 cent option is missing from their car, when its inclusion would greatly outweigh the 10 cent.

This article http://goo.gl/O3kh4 shows how Apple is bucking this trend. Their design & product is above everyone's else, it costs $1 more than everyone's else, so it is better than everyone's else. Yet Apple charges more than twice the industry norm (in this case, the charger).

Conclusion:

cost at factory is amplified when it reaches the customers' hands. this is true for both cost up & down.

everyone tries to make this cost go down. only Apple, that I know, is making this go up.