It looks like lobbying for increased consumer protection laws. Either you put on a suit and talk to politicians, or you work with and donate to groups that do.

You might want to check out Slate. It's about the closest thing to an open vehicle platform I can imagine.

Look at the options on the table for you: Either do nothing and buy new cars, or buy an older car and maintain it for the rest of your life. There is no option C, as you note.

For my part, I will not be purchasing a new car until they bring back physical controls and dump the spyware.

DMCA needs to be repealed or at least radically changed. Currently it's used as a cudgel by manufacturers to prevent customers from modifying the software in the stuff they buy. Legislation that requires vendors to provide documentation and stuff like "right to repair" would also go a long way.

> I'm not sure what that looks like though

Two wheels and some impressive leg muscles !