Prospects for free software in cars

Very thought-raising though rather depressing comment... They do that in fear of their own little felony being revealed. So human.
The only way I found out this loop hole for the moment is to convince law makers to decree manufacturers liability by default (especially in the absence of available free, complete and a priori information on the equipements potentialy involved in an accident).
With such default liability, the entire management line may feel more obligated to actually face their eventual responsibility (i.e. analyse, delegate if needed, treat if possible, assume if necessary, etc.) ; instead of just occulting it (i.e. passing the hot potato to the next one or hiding as much as possible under the carpet).