The venerated 300SL Gullwings and Roadsters built by Mercedes started out at $4695 in '54, and ended at about $10,500 in '63.
It was such a prestigeous position to be in that division that workers took extra care with each car. One reason MBZ ended production was that they discovered it was costing in the neighborhood of $25k each to build. I guess the cars didn't buy 'em that much
PR.
In 1989 I happened to get into a Nissan North America Dealers convention. Not open to the public. Dealers and top Nissan brass only.
I learned that +86% of dealer profits were parts and service. If a dealer GAVE you a car, their profits were you coming back to the service department.
Some years ago I was involved in audiophile stereo manufacture. 90% of the cost of manufacture was the dress plates, face, and knobs in typical commercial stereo components. Ironic....the biggest expense was looks...for something that's sold on the premise it sounds good...