The purpose of an economy is neither to produce things that are so expensive that people cannot afford them. Since Western auto companies have failed, they should admit defeat, the leadership (and shareholders) should admit they are failures, and maybe open the doors to those who can make products which customers can afford.
Car factories have used robots to make cars for decades now. The cars should have become cheaper with time, not several times more expensive. And if the factors making cars unaffordable for the average citizen is beyond the carmakers control, then those factors should be adressed. But tariffs sure won't make cars cheaper.
The purpose of a system is what it does and the economy definitely does what you described. Not saying that ought to be the case but unfortunately it is.
