I think your logic is correct, but your implied outcome is probably wrong.
>"If you get in an accident and suffer damages and you allege that this is due to a manufacturer's defect, this is a basis for suit against the manufacturer."
Right now, this is an edge case. The self driving car may cause it to become common.
> The self driving car may cause it to become common.
Yes, because exactly those cases where the driver (as operator, as distinct from the -- often the same person's role as -- owner-as-maintainer) is responsible now become the manufacturer's responsibility. But, again, that's exactly what insurance covers.
But, again, we know the cost of that liability is -- its the cost of driver's insurance.
Driver's insurance is the cost of liability to drivers, whose ability to pay damages is practically capped by their own insurance coverage.
A major corporation does not have the same practical ability to cap their damages. I am not convinced it's a straight comparable cost as you keep saying. The two risks are not exactly comparable, thus I would not expect the insurance costs to be the same.
>"If you get in an accident and suffer damages and you allege that this is due to a manufacturer's defect, this is a basis for suit against the manufacturer."
Right now, this is an edge case. The self driving car may cause it to become common.