Originally Posted by Schwinnsta

Both Brompton and Bike Friday rely on different sales and factory set ups then the Asian brands. When you purchase Brompton you are picking through a dozen or more choices allowing much greater customization and resulting in thousands of permutations. Each bike is made to order. This is different than the Asian assembly lines. Call it semi custom. It increases cost.

If Asian bike manufactures can make a Brompton bike as well for a cheaper price, why don't they? The only one I am aware of is Dahon's Curl but it is not cheaper.