theophile
A hi-fi, however, is not a necessity for most people. It's a luxury. And because it tends to be enjoyed in private, it's just not likely to be considered a status item, as a car is.
... It all ads-up to more perceived return for the dollar spent on automobiles as opposed to Hi-Fi. Hence cars get the dollars and Hi-Fi doesn't.This assessment ignores a lot of very basic facts. For many Americans, they need a car to get to work, and they need a car to do even the most basic shopping. For them, a car is a practical necessity. Of course, the auto industry has been masterful in convincing many people to buy much more car than they need, but that's another matter.
A hi-fi, however, is not a necessity for most people. It's a luxury. And because it tends to be enjoyed in private, it's just not likely to be considered a status item, as a car is.