Hacker News

Headlights used to cost like $20. The whole damned thing. They were mandated standardized sealed-beam units that you could get in round or rectangle. That was it. Every garage/gas station and auto store had them and it was a cinch (usually) to swap out. We pooched it by letting the auto manufacturers have freedom of design. Sure cars fronts would look a little samey and aero be damned, but the economy of scale would likely keep prices way lower. Probably. Maybe. Or they could just ensure they shaft everyone on every car. I reckon that’s the more likely outcome.