Cost cutting only ... the cover is good for keeping the noises down as overhead cam/valve engines and direct/port injectors tend to be noisy (clicking) - plus it hides some of the honestly ugly wiring that Ford has in, on and around their engines ...
Mine cut down on engine noise. Not enough to be a big deal but I bought one so might as well try it. Found a local guy on CL that had one for 40 bucks. What I didn't know is that it was powerboost and not ecoboost, but I put it on anyway, oh well. Can't do the custom paint though, wouldn't make sense. No one really sees it anyway.
