The Japanese manufacturer did the correct thing. While it does seem like such a waste, there was no way that that they could be certain (to their satisfaction) that they would be selling vehicles that did not have inherent defects, some undoubtedly life-threatening. They could easily argue that their own standards will not permit them to knowlingly sell such vehicles at any price. But the main reason is prob ably legal; the idea that a buyer may be willing to understake any risks by signing off on a waiver indemnifying Mazda from any damages or claims on the surface sounds reasonable, until you stop to consider that the wife or family members or any dependents of the injured (the one who signed the waiver) could easily bring action against them despite the signed waiver. This wasteful action is a result of our litigation-crazy lawyer infested society in which we live.