The answer to your question has already been given.
Emissions.
Thats why even the most neanderthal of vehicles now have ecu's.
You may think that ECU's break down and crash every time they are turned on.... but in reality Microsoft have had nothing to do with them. :D
BTW, when I broke a TD5 radiator at Archer River Roadhouse in the middle of Cape York.... a new one turned up overnight. Mt Isa is more able to get parts in than Archer River Roadhouse.:D

