The bigger problem is, when the code works, but you think it shouldn’t

Because it is a dependency for most things that buyers want in their cars. Not a technical dependency but cou cannot get Climate Control without a Touch screen in Some Cars for example.

doesn’t make sense

You mean a massively patched windows 2000 with modern OS? Does Linux count, or BSD? How about macOS?

the “infection protection” relies on you to trust Microsoft that they check everything you want to do to your PC. For computer illiterate users this may be a benefit, but only if MS doesn’t turn evil or negligent or stupid and blocks apps that you need. You can brick a PC from remote with TPM.

Problem is, i havent enabled my TPM and don’t plan to, either.

TPM just gives your PC a non-spoofable fingerprint so Microsoft can always identify your PC. It’s simply a DRM-device built into your PC.

You say that targetting only the top 5% restricts the adoption rate. Consider me shocked…