Thing is a good company in US/Europe can compete with China on cost when materials aren’t critical. (China is lower cost because they often don’t used spec’d materials.) Some guys I work with can get things manufactured in Italy or the US cheaper than in China/Asia. Basic aluminum extrusions are fully automated, so labor is almost nil.
Keep in mind china supports industries they want to expand or feel are critical.
Aluminum is one.
Fyi many Chinese factories also work on very low margins compared to usa. IE China 5-10%, USA margins 100%or more.
Well, if you can not make it cheap, make it better. There will be always customers for both the premium and low cost markets. I simply don’t buy the concept that the creator/designer should be compensated for what he did his whole lifetime. If you did something great then you have everything needed to do it again. I bought my Prusa MK2 not for what it is now, but for the potential it has. The calibration FW update, the multiple extrusion HW one… that’s what is keeping me excited and that’s what is worth the premium. Keep innovating or become Nokia 