That is only because normies can't make judgements of value across complex criteria. They just buy whatever is cheapest. So manufacturers optimize for the lowest possible manufacturing cost to give the lowest possible. Price.

I'll give you an example:

Which car is best?

Okay. Which car is cheapest?

If you compare cars today vs cars of the 1960, then it is no contest. A decent, economical four cylinder car today will drive the pants off anything manufactured in the UK or the USA in that era.

A humble Toyota Corolla will, with fastidious oil changes and mostly highway driving (that is a high proportion of KMs per start / stop cycle; say a long commute) will get a million kilometers without anything more than scheduled maintenance.

Want a mechanical, waterproof watch with a sapphire glass? Or a pocket calculator? Or a light aircraft? Every single one of these is a better product at a lower price than ages past.

Yes there is corporate fuckery. Yes, the red tape is out of control. That is a regulation issue.

Yes, design priorities have changed to focus on cheap, disposable goods, because that is what normies demand. Feel free to tell the customer that they are wrong in regards to taste.

And if you want expensive, high quality goods, then buy them! They exist.