quattroworld

The steel lines that suffer rust failure
Such as used by MB and Most American car mfg. can be formed "anywhere" and shipped to the assembly line to be placed in position at the most opportune time during the assembly line process.

The Nickel Copper brake lines (as used by Audi and I don't know which other auto makers) can not be transported without unacceptable deformation and damage. So those lines must be made on location , which may effect assembly line speed.

The first situation is great in the cost to produce calculations, but not so rosy in the "MTBF" statistic, especially in the rust belt.

The latter case "costs" a bit more perhaps, but results in a "lifetime" of failure free performance with regard to failures.

One would think, that the first time a rusted line was linked to a bodily injury, "non-rusting" brake lines would become the responsible choice.

Praise Audi for their position on the topic!