To what extent does the Von Thunen model of location apply in modern times?

At a glance, I rather doubt it does. It maximises profit margin of agriculture in a fictional flatland through some distribution of produce. Modernity discarded farming in favour of mass production, and mass production favours standardisation over efficiency & flexibility. Some of the math is adjustable, I'm sure, but the model seems obsolete (never mind the fact the modern path is unsustainable, that's another kettle of fish).