Supposedly MPs are targeted at Japanese audience right? Since 1990, deflation i.e. negative inflation has been the trend in Japan. Occasionally there would be some inflation but it would run at around 0.7%.

If your country has been mired in deflation, you don't try to find a more expensive place to produce your product because that will just depress your profit margin even more (if prices don't change). It's strange how cell phone prices remain pretty much the same in Japan (with higher and higher quality) and yet MP Transformers prices are shooting up like crazy.

 

It ended up being a partial move. Takara still has factories in China, but moved partially into Vietnam with the goal of saving money. Some MPs are manufactured in China, some in Vietnam, but overall Vietnam is a cheaper area for labor costs. There could be other non labor-related costs in Vietnam that I'm not aware of.
EDIT: here's another interesting article on the subject:
Supply Chain Shifts from China to Vietnam - Vietnam Briefing News

 

Do any of these graphs or number crunchers put in the data for our little trade war going on in the world?

 

There's a reason why companies still maintain operation in China in spite of higher cost. From the Wall Street Journal:

“From window curtains to fireworks, American importers are struggling to find alternative suppliers for the goods they bring in from China. An analysis of federal import data shows China accounts for more than 90% of imports in 273 categories of the items targeted by new tariffs… reaching deep into U.S. supply chains” . “The difficulties among U.S. importers shows how global supply chains have been redrawn over the past 20 years, and how successful China has been in becoming the factory floor for the world, in some cases crowding out competition from other countries. Companies like baby-gate and bedrail maker Regalo International LLC say their efforts to find new manufacturing partners to replace Chinese suppliers have come up short. The company says Vietnam ‘has very weak infrastructure in metal fabrication’ and can’t match prices and production demands.”

 

I largely agree there’s minimal impact from labor costs, which have only gone up 16% in Vietnam since MP Primal’s release. So it’s a factor, but far from the biggest reason for the price increases

 

Have they announced the price for 48?

 

Percentages can also misleading. A 16% percent rise from 3 dollars an hour is nothing compared to a 16% rise from 20 bucks. First one is only 48 cents, the other one is $3.20.

IMO, the fandom should be mature enough to realize by now that there's probably some gouging going on. But even if that's true, so what? If you have the money to pay it, it's your money.

 

I really like MP-48. He looks phenomenal and has re-ignited my interest in BWII... I think I may still get him even if he is 24,000 yen. The real test will be how I feel when he goes up for pre-order. Will I feel that irrational need to take the plunge even though I know I'm being fleeced? I'll have to wait and see.

 

I would be very surprised if he's more expensive that the MP 13 reissue in october after AJ discount that is. More expensive than 46 but only a little.

 

How much is Hound? Skipping him, skipping most of future G1 unless its Decepticons. I have 44 PO though because everyone needs a Prime in their collection. I do hope the trend of having BW MP every other release continues, easy to save money for the next release and they're so show accurate.

 

18,000 yen.

 

You are comparing MP48's [msrp - 30%] to MP13's msrp?

 

Hound is more expensive than the MP-13 reissue. I would BW very (pleasantly) surprised if Lio Convoy isn't also. Primal was slightly more expensive than equivalent Carbots at the time of his release.

 

Is there any comparison shots to 47 and 48? If they are of similar size I would think the pricing will probably be the same. Or very close. 24000? yen What is he, Megatron?

No I meant including that 40 shipping charge. So 160 ish or everywhere else he is 150 ish.

 

24000 is About $150 something US after discount.