I know Kove is a Chinese brand, but beyond that a lot of western brands are being built in China now too.
It is hard to avoid Chinese manufacturing but not impossible.
I’ve read that labor costs are higher in China now than in Vietnam, India and many other countries, even Mexico. Also, goods manufactured in Mexico can came into the US tax-free, courtesy of USMCA (NAFTA replacement). Yes, China is an important trading partner, but big western corporations do have manufacturing options outside of the PRC.
For example, I just bought a KLR that was built in Thailand.
Another example is my 2004 Nissan Xterra. It was designed at Nissan of America in La Jolla, California and built at Nissan’s plant in Smyrna, Tennessee by union workers.
Wow, did not know that Kawi was manufacturing them in Asia! Many American companies, such as Speed UTV, Freightliner (Dalmier Benz), etc. use foreign companies for their manufacturing needs (cost) and place company quality control personnel at the manufacturing sites or regularly visit the plants to verify quality control aspects of the processes.
The KOVE bikes seem to be a real bargain and worthy of a look.
