[boznz]

Most Microprocessor manufacturers Atmel, Microchip, ST, TI, NXP etc give out incredible documentation for free and probably enough though for a competitor to reverse engineer a dodgy but functional implementation of the chip (say in a FPGA).

Not sure why these guys go all the way where as companies like broadcom do not, I would put it more to shaving the last cent off the chip. I know which ones I would choose as an engineer but you dont often get to make the choice.

[cushychicken]

Considering that automotive fault tolerance is one of NXP's core competences, I can guarantee you that there is plenty of secret sauce that you're not privy to in those chips.

That being said, your point is well taken.