Cosmichrome is a solid process that has been around for some years, and it isn't cheap. I would suspect that any "unscrupulous use" would be very small indeed. GM has been using it for a long time, and other firms use it when real chrome cannot be used such as on a model where the underlying substrate cannot be put into a plating bath--something such as wood. I've seen it applied to a variety of interesting objects, some as mundane as Lego bricks for kids.
The vent louvers would be an excellent place to use this, and if I ever had to take apart these contraption again, I would rechrome with Cosmichrome. Nobody I talked to wanted to touch the louvers (too delicate and irreplaceable) and thus spray on would be a worthy consideration--not a devaluation IMHO
Now, bumpers? That's another story...
