Supply and Demand determine price. When Demand increases, price does too. Demand is increased by laws requiring the purchase of insurance and/or the purchase of a certain minimum amount of insurance. The intention is to have more drivers covered by insurance. However, as a result, the cost of insurance increases. This makes it less affordable to the drivers that probably need it the most, so they go without insurance - even if it means being in violation of the law.

In the end, our government's attempt to increase insurance among motorists effectively decreases it.

What's wrong with making airbags optional equipment? My little Geo Metro from 1993 is probably slightly safer than a motorcycle and yet it is still very popular to drive due to its economical factors.

I think brand reputation can be as tangible as a warranty because the warranty is for a limited period of time whereas the brand is for the lifetime of the vehicle - and it has value too - which shows up in the used car price (less vs. more depreciation).

So just looking at the dollars and cents, the warranty covers repairs that may or may not be needed, but the brand reputation adds (or subtracts) value to the car regardless.