I dont believe for a minute they care about theft. They make the same money on replacing parts as they do repair. Locking items to their shops and supply system is the reason. Sole source = win for them.
I doubt that the actual screen is locked to the cluster. If you purchase a used cluster just the lcd panel can be removed and swapped in your existing cluster. It may or may not be soldered to the control board but soldering is easy. YouTube has videos. i always look at component level repairs...
Not sure without checking but i believe the cluster can be reset. If not, every single state in the U.S. Has an exception form or process that can follow the vehicle. I believe the OP may be in Indonesia where it may not matter. I would definitely go with a used part and file the exception...
Terrible fuel economy? My 2009 Smart still gets 40-42mpg. I feel more safe in my smart car than my Tesla and that is saying a lot. The Tridon safety cell in the Smart is incredible. I got smashed between two larger cars at about 40mph In 2011. Scratched my shin, nothing else. Safety cell was not...
It is not currently a problem in other car lines. Why would it be here?
front airbags normally cover the entire dash area and rear seats rarely have anything other than side airbags,
You have to look at the seating manufacturers. Tesla does their own seating because in the beginning the big 3 threatened the suppliers to not sell to Tesla. No reason to think that is not the reason now.
tesla says cost per unit is lower than the union based suppliers anyway so it worked out...