I'm convinced the push for greater recyclability of vehicle parts is having a worse effect. A new VW is full of plastic parts which seem to have a ten year lifespan at best. Too many of these breaking render the vehicle uneconomic to repair. The result is that eh vehicle is scrapped and parts recycled. Great- except that recycling takes an enormous amount of energy, and building a new car and getting it to the consumer takes another enormous amount of energy (and materials). It would have been better if the original vehicle had a longer economic life.