Even aside from inflation, the prospect of efficiency-borne gains meaningfully benefiting the consumer rather than fattening corporate profit margins, frankly, seems like magical thinking. I’ve seen no evidence that our current corporate culture is capable of it (for any longer than it takes to dominate some market.)
I imagine this would come from outside the US.
What does corporate culture have to do with any of it? The surplus goes to the consumer not because of any benevolent corporate culture, but because of competition.
And (most) efficiency gains have benefited customers in the past.
Just check eg how much you are paying for excellent lighting of your house today vs 200 years ago.