It’s an unfortunate trend. I’m not sure mandatory backup cameras is really a driving cause, though — the bulk of third party head units have backup cam support out of the box and some even let you add a 360° overhead parking view if you’re willing to drill some holes and wire cameras.

The biggest reason for non-modular infotainment is to push people into subscription services.

The cars hade to come from the factory with backup cams now, then that’s going to open the floodgates to other features where a custom head unit would be useful, since they need one anyways. Unfortunately none of those features are done in a standard way where pioneer or alpine can plug into the car’s bus and somehow manipulate it.