Note that I never claimed the automotive world has functional people processes. Functional people processes make a lot of technical issues much easier, but they're usually off the table in traditional manufacturing. The security team insists on x requirements for security reasons. Hardware team insists on this chip because it's the only one that makes the budget work.
A shockingly large part of my job is telling both that one team won't be getting what they want and to work it out among themselves. Rinse and repeat between dozens of boards because the relevant teams don't talk to each other and none of them read the "design requirements to ensure we don't have to tell you no" doc either. One time they didn't even tell us there was a board until the end of December, when delivery was scheduled for Feb.
I live in Detroit so what you’re saying does not surprise me in the least bit. I have some friends in automotive at some of the big 3, and suppliers, and I’ve heard some really terrible stories.
A shockingly large part of my job is telling both that one team won't be getting what they want and to work it out among themselves. Rinse and repeat between dozens of boards because the relevant teams don't talk to each other and none of them read the "design requirements to ensure we don't have to tell you no" doc either. One time they didn't even tell us there was a board until the end of December, when delivery was scheduled for Feb.