The 2 most expensive parts in
The 2 most expensive parts in a car are the engine and transmission. The CVT has about 40% fewer parts than an automatic transmission, so it is much cheaper to build - never mind the fact that it can't be repaired which is another issue. It is considerably cheaper to put a 4 cylinder engine in a car than a 6 or 8, and then of because the body structure can be engineered to support less weight, hence more cost savings. Sure, EPA mileage requirements come into play, but the automakers have a win-win situation by adopting cheaper 4 cylinder engines.