The following is a typical wiring harness in a car:
There are multiple proprietary standards for communication in a car, including analog signals on wires, CAN, FlexRay, MOST, and LVDS.
There are multiple proprietary standards for communication in a car, including analog signals on wires, CAN, FlexRay, MOST, and LVDS. Each vehicle component typically has its own dedicated wiring and communication requirements.
Due to this complex cabling, the wiring harness is the 3rd highest cost component in a car (behind the engine and chassis). Harnesses are built one at a time, and comprise 50% of the cost of labor for the entire car.
The wiring harness is also the 3rd heaviest component (behind chassis and engine). Any technology that reduces this weight directly contributes to fuel economy.