Things are not what they seem

GM truck with lots of chrome
 

GM truck with lots of chrome (Detail)
 

GM truck with lots of chrome, that is not really chrome (Detail)

The first time I saw plastic disguised as metal was on Sony home stereo equipment in the early 1980s. Since then plastic has emerged as a replacement for metal in a variety of industries.

On the surface (pun sort of intended) the plastic looks like metal and presents some significant advantages. (Lighter weight, cheaper, and lacking the toxic waste problem that often comes with chrome plating.)

But as these photos show, when in a minor accident the plastic pretty much disintegrates. So, cheaper to make, but then the customer is left to pay the long-term price. Colour me astounded.