Ok ,I must be missing something or parts avalability is different where I live,...
I have 6 of the stock plates in various locations. They must be making the plates for the 'Cuda crowd that can recoup the cost.
The only way I can make sense of the $80 plate on a Duster is building a major Loss leader for advertising.
There is nothing wrong with most parts from China, a CNC machine is a CNC machine, a lathe is a Lathe. It doesn't matter what country it's in, same work. It's an outdated mindset that American products are always better quality.
I love my country. We don't make the best quality anymore,we make the most expensive and lack QC.
We need more American pride and Knowhow in our worksmanship.