The fake manufacturer thing is the main reason these games age well

Every racing game from 2010 looks dated because the cars are dated and licensed and specific. GTA cars from 2010 still look like cars.

A Vapid is not a Ford, it is the idea of a Ford, and ideas do not go out of production. Rockstar confirmed there will be no real brands in this one either and I think that is worth more than people realise. In 2040 the Tulip will still read as a muscle car. A licensed 2026 model would read as a museum piece.