I'm a fan of Mazda. Your analogy would make more sense if instead of Mazda offering a choice of compact (Mazda 3), sedan (Mazda 6), or sports car (Mazda Miata), instead Mazda decided to build a lineup of:

   * Mazda6L (Our most green Mazda 6)
   * Mazda6 Yoga (Our Mazda 6 that transforms into a Miata)
   * Mazda6W (Our power version)
   * Mazda6T (Our version which includes more gizmos)
   * Mazda6X (Our version which includes even more gizmos)
   * Mazda6 Helix (Our version that's like our Yoga but different)
   * Mazda611E (Our rugged version for teenagers who are careless)

.. and then within each type, have specific models like Mazda6T 554p, Mazda6T 440s, etc.

.. and then allowing you to further customize each Mazda6 model down to the finest detail.

...and then repeat for each type of car in their lineup (Mazda3, Miata, SUVs, etc).

Yes, if this were the case then I would have a very hard time buying a car! :)

Mazda in Australia is particularly straightforward as far as full-range car companies go. Three cars (2, 3, 6) three SUVs (CX3, CX5, CX9) a ute (BT-50) and a sports car (MX-5). Each of these has a few levels of trim. Some have choice of engine, boot style. Overall it's very easy for consumers to comprehend.

Whereas take BMW, which seems to have a really simple product line but has endless subtle variations in the same segment. 5 series Sedan vs 4 Gran Coupé vs 3 Grand Turismo, anyone? Then try to comprehend the endless options for each model. Then try to comprehend the relative cost of one model versus another (or one trim versus another) factoring in the inclusion or exclusion of particular features. It's insane.

Oh, you mean like having a

* Mazda 6 SE Saloon

* Mazda 6 SE-L Saloon

* Mazda 6 Sport Saloon

* Mazda 6 SE Tourer

* ...

... and then within each trim level, with or without nav

... and then within each, auto or manual transmission

... and then within each, petrol or diesel engines (sometimes several power levels)

... and then of course colours, paints and fabrics and alloy wheels and all that cosmetic stuff.

Admit it, there's more different option in a car configurator even at Mazda than in a laptop manufacturer's line-up.

I admit that other makes allow more customization and there's regional differences too (Mazda USA offers far less customization than Mazda Japan or Europe specifically because their research determined us Yanks like less choices).

But I think your example is way off. You're showing Trim Levels which are equivalent to prepackaged options list like CPU, memory, Red type cover vs Blue type cover, black stylus vs silver stylus. It's still the same model (Mazda6), still the same chassis, same body, same car! And cars are far more complicated than laptops! Buying a car in the USA for 99% of the general public basically comes down to choosing the Model (Mazda6), choosing the trim level (Grand Touring), choosing the color, and then settling for whatever your nearest dealers have on the lot :)

In comparison, the ThinkPad T models have different chassis, different physical sizes, different weight before you even start customizing things like CPU, memory, batteries, etc. And remember we're only talking about the T series.