[Germanauto]

This is a very valid question. In the automotive industry as a whole the lines have blurred. There used to be tech, acceleration, refinement, etc. that were only available on luxury makes and nowhere else. However nowadays even a Honda Accord can be reasonably quick, have a bunch of tech/autonomous driving features, plenty space, and attractive styling, etc. Modern cars have just become so objectively good that nothing is really a shyt box anymore.

Same story within the luxury makes themselves. Sit in an 8-series then in a 4-series and besides some extra leather in places, is there much difference in the interior design and overall cabin ambiance? How much faster is the 8 than the 4 really? Is cabin tech much different? I'd say the lines have really blurred.

And of course automakers have found new ways to streamline production in order to minimize costs. Remember the Bangle era? Every BMW had a very unique exterior and interior design. Only commonalities were the switchgear, buttons, etc. and even then they weren't always identical. Now look at the modern 3/4, X5, and 8-series. Many of the interior components are very very similar.