It's pretty simple. People are less interested in car audio these days. Unless people decide to buy a bunch of less computer controlled cars with head units you can replace it's only going to keep sliding down the hill. People today are more into their phones, tic tok and being an internet star than they are into car audio. I kid you not... I hear less and less bass on the road than ever before.
Cars are more and more integrated and complicated
Kids today would rather look at their screens than listen to a car stereo
Too much politics going on in schools and too much time is being put into grooming kids to be soft, liberal ***** folks then there is in letting kids go out and experience other people in person.
People today want instant gratification and waiting on a car stereo install takes too long. They certainly aren't going to do it themselves.
Car audio has become a niche hobby for the people who grew up with it and we are in our 50's, 60's and beyond now.
Hell, this political thread has 2.5 years left at best because when Trump is gone there will be NOTHING for the left to talk about. Millions will be forced to find new topics.