I mean, I think the only proper response to this is just a boycott or a straight ban on companies that do that in the states. It would let smaller companies slide in, or other competitors take over. Currently it's a contest between the two companies and their customers, just don't buy if they don't have the features, companies will either revert the decision or pull out of the regions.
I agree. There's not like hundreds of unknown car manufacturers just waiting for this privacy opportunity to strike so they make it big, who can then ramp up production to meet the need.. There's no way free market principles can provide a solution in this case
Capitalism always takes over, if there is potential to sell someone will step in. Used to have small car shops and stores all around, big companies came in and they all closed shop, it'll go back to that most likely, although it's more likely other competitors will take advantage of the situation and just move in instead. Especially if the situation expands to further states.
Which is why I'm going to keep buying older, "dumb" cars as long as a can. Not only do they not have this BS they are easier to work on. My oldest car is a 2012 Mazda3 (after my son totaled the 2007 Accord).
There is a 2-way stop around the corner from our house that you have to use pretty much all the time to go anywhere. He was turning left, dude across the way was turning right. We'd told him over and over and over just let the other person go because they are going to go anyway. Well, he didn't listen. He turned (and had the right-away as he was there first) only to be hit on the passenger-side front by an F350 with a trailer. It was very low speed but big-ass truck vs little sedan it was done for. Fortunately, highway patrol had no problem realizing it was the other dudes fault so cited him and his insurance had to pay for the total. Ended up replacing it with a 2014 Focus which is very meh but it's been largely fine.
Do you really think this won't be the norm in 5-10 years? Now it's some, in a few years OP is right, so why bother with your argument that not all cars are like this at the moment?