Automotive EE here. This is so misleading it might as well be labeled as fiction.
The German MODELS that you are familiar with are higher tier vehicles. Notice I did not say the brand was high quality.
The truth is 30 plus years ago, ok, fair statement with that note above. But now… almost all brands are using the same suppliers and the same processes. Your seats come from Johnson Controls or Recaro or a mfg you have never heard of but makes Ferrari seats on the same lines as their Toyota seats. There are three ABS / brake system / traction-stability module makers worldwide plus some trash ones in China. The X module in a Fiat is the same part number as that same module in the La Ferrari. The McClaren 500s and 600s use an Android based screen made by the same people that make the one of Polaris.
Not to be too general here, but it’s all the same shit.
Yes, specs matter. But your programming is coming out of India whether you drive a G Wagon or a Ford.
The disparity in your post, is not only about tarrifs, but also the size of the most popular Ford GM Stellatis vehicles. That the above three lose money on their cars and basically only push them as hard as they do in order to tilt CAFE scales.
No offense meant, it’s just that when people talk about cars, 99% of the time they have no idea what they’re talking about and myths become reality.