Roadcar spin-off from Rally
One thing is that the manufacturers learn from rally and use that in development of their roadcars.
What is a bit strange is that they do not make some sporty and cool looking roadcars with wider Wings front and back, and a quick engine. That stopped with the end of group N.
Most car buyers do not have a clue, and is not very interested in cars. So they buy what ever the rest is buying.
But the few that is over average interessted in cars, and therefor they are the ones the rest are asking for advice when buying a car.
And the few are the ones that are buying cool cars, because they want to.
Here the spin-off cars from rally have their mission. Fun cars, that the petrolheads will buy, and look so cool that they stand out from the rest.
The brand you own you normally also recomend to others, if you are happy with it.
Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Evo have done more for those brands than they could ever dream of. Especially for the "farmers car" Subaru.
Skoda, Hyundai, Citroen, Peugeot, Ford and the others could get increased sales by using the petrolheads as their advertizers, as the ones talking up their brands.
If they will not do it themselves, use a local tuningfirm to make it for them.