They did it for cost savings. Pure and simple. The design they use is
good enough for 10-15 years from new, which is more than the average
life of a new car ownership.

When you save $5 per car and make hundreds of thousands of cars, it
adds up to real money.

On Sep 7, 2009, at 11:54 AM, David Marshall wrote:

> I've done a few switches too - why why why did VW put current
> through the
> key and headlights?  A relay for the 15 and 50 circuits on the key
> and one each for the hi and low beams would have cost very little
> extra
> and saved an expensive repair later on.