That seems to be the trend. Our Volvo got tapped a couple years ago and there was one small crack that involved a single panel of plastic on the left tail light. I took out the panel (it snapped off easily) and went to the dealer for a new one. Wrong. I had to buy the whole assembly. With my club discount it was almost $200! And this was from a dealer that I had a personal and business relationship, and a parts guy that was my friend, so I know they didn't fleece me and sell me more than I needed. I was stunned. It was a huge waste of plastic and money.

At least here the part is relatively small and I can almost see why they'd make it one part...

Say, why the King Crimson avatar?