Old forker - your speculation is not even in the ball park or maybe I should say the rugby field - no the sky is falling comments from me - just facts.
My statement is based actual experience with EP brand - 6 mos delivery on a controller for a walkie, twice for the same customer - part was not in stock in US, we were told. Light duty operation - a small printing company. Lost a customer. Spoke with the EP representative - and he advised it was their philosophy that they need to build a population first, then add the costly product support. What comes first chicken or the egg????. It don't matter in the end users eyes - they just want there lifts up and running - not an excuse or I'm sorry. Plus, I have sold truck to customers that bought "on the cheap" Chinese brands - they could not get technical or parts support help to keep them up and running - these were near new units they replaced - we did not give them much more than "salvage value" as a trade but allowed them to build equity into the unit that we delivered. Valid, certifiable reasons for a "Cavet Emptor" approach for sure Bloke.

Based on you comments, you must of had similar experiences with the Japanese brands you represented too!