Anything that claims to reduce resistance can only improve things to the extent that the stock stuff is restrictive. If the intake air has a lot of restriction, then it's ripe for improvement. Not too many years ago, you could find some cars with restrictive intake systems. There's a lot of that memory built into aftermarket advertisements.

Factory intake doesn't start at the filter. There's a big resonator chamber below & in front of the filter housing. That's a "muffler" for the intake. A short ram eliminates that, resulting in:
- more sound
- higher temperature air (often, but not always for every version of every car)
- less or more restriction to the incoming air

You'd think it removes the restriction of that resonator box. But the air has to get in there somehow, and now it has to get in through cracks around the headlights, etc. You could cut a big hole in the front of the car, make some kind of air scoop (google "NACA duct") & then have fun with some big ductwork from the hardware store. Might not give any improvement.

Carmakers aren't clueless, but they have to follow a whole pile of DOT rules like how much sound is allowed to come from the entire car. And they have to make cars that are sold to the general public - who sometimes drive through puddles of water.