I noticed the prices of vehicles in general is artificially propped up by different modes of financing including the extension of financial term lengths, addition of favorable lease rates, balloon loans, etc etc.
They should do a study on percentage of people buying cash versus financing both today and 30,40,50 years ago. I would guarantee you that the people who buy cars cash today probably includes less than 5% of auto retail buyers. Stretching loan terms allows for lower loan payments and allows people to get into more expensive vehicles, don't think the manufacturers don't see this because when was the last time you saw manufacturers offer incentivized 72 and 84 month terms?
I'm a big fan of using the system aka leasing/financing when it benefits you the end user but I can't deny this hasn't made a big impact on sticker prices.