just a number of points

1, until apple brought out the iPhone the phone market did not change in a really big way. this was the first of the big changes

2, Both Blackberry and Nokia were worth tens of Billion before the new phones came out. Now they are worth single Billions

3, when you are looking at IC counterbalance forklift there has been no development by forklift manufactures. Linde new transmission that was developed in the mid nineties was developed with Eaton who had been supplying these to forklift manufactures like Shaw and Boss from the mid early 70's or possibly mid 60's

4 again the only people that decide a product is premium is the marketing guy's who try to encourage a customer to pay more for a simple product.

Now if any one can say were any basic development of the IC counterbalance forklift has come in in the last 90 years please say.
Electronic controls are not really a development can they be repaired quicker no are they lower cost no. By development i mean something that has changed the industry Take sideloaders this has seen major developments over the years , in the Mid seventies Shaw developed the first Jacklass sideloaders , In the Mid eighties SSP developed the underdeck engine and then you have combilift who have developed this even further. This is development

If one company can say their product is premium against another it might be one of the Japanese companies who have everything under their manufacture. or say in electric like crown who produce around 90% them selfs. Buying in product like engine or a transmission that is the same as others don't make a premium product. In fact like i say there is no premium product in industry only cleaver marketing