> merging the two technologies means you have the complexity of both

I (and many others) would actually argue many common hybrid drivetrains are actually simpler than many ICE-only drivetrains.

Things like transmissions and complicated AWD setups are incredibly complex. Planetary gear sets and using an electric motor for the rear axle to add AWD can make things vastly simpler mechanically than a regular pure-ICE. You need a computer to get it to all play nice, but in terms of moving parts and things rubbing it can be a lot simpler.