Drum rear brakes??
 

How on earth can drum brakes be cheaper than disk these days??

I see a few econo level VW Passat and similar with drum rear, brand new.

Four wheel disc brakes became a mandatory feature on any car I buy a long time ago. It sits right next to air conditioning. Power windows and locks are nice, but not a mandatory item for me. Is TPMS about to become mandatory? If so, in a world with TPMS being mandatory, why are drums even an option?

TPMS was mandated on all car sold in North America after 2006.

Drum brakes work. They all have their applications. If you think drum brakes are scary, next time you are next to a big rig semi pulling 30 plus tons, look at the brakes... Then look at the drums in the front lol

Maybe its the leather linings...

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...psrlkip46e.jpg

Lotsa cars still have rear drums. I don't think they are necessarily cheaper but they work just fine. All my Toyota fleet vehicles have rear drums.

Years back I asked the same when one of the kid's cars had rear drums, your question answered here:

Why do we use disc brakes in front and drum brakes in rear? - Quora

Besides, if you really take a look at many (not all) rear disk brake systems there is a drum parking brake inside the assembly,

we have both on the Boxster

The E-Brake is drum