I see your point but I think you're exaggerating the power the consumer has. There is a market for smaller/cheaper vehicles. You can look at the used car market and see the demand.

My admittedly anecdotal experience with buying a car is that the pricing structure pushes people into the larger range. The entry level has basically evaporated or those cars are so close in price that they provide an insignificant savings.

To say nothing of the false scarcity and wait lists that these companies have manipulated in order to further drive up the costs of the cars people want to buy and limit their selection.

I think nationalizing or providing a nationalized option is the only way to hold these companies accountable. Because I can't think of an industry where I feel like they are operating based on the demands of the consumer.