Ah, that makes sense! In other words, they’d have to sell a lot more them to make as much profit as other options... It’s just something I’ve always heard, in regards the popularity and sales of that model during that time.
I agree with Frono but some historical context only furthers his case, I think:
Quote in '97 Guild Gallery says "More D25's have been sold than any other model"
Suspect it's remained true until now given the relatively very low production of all the subsequent US factories, and the vast majority of those are undoubtedly the arched back spruce top version by virtue of having the longest time in production.
I also suspect D4's are rolled into that figure because they even shared the same s/n sequence starting in '94.
On paper there's no way to tell one from the other.
Corona's D25 ('02-'03) was a return to the original all-hog flatback formula, and was then replaced by the GADD25 (same formula) first appearing in the Spring '04 price list.
The other GAD model was the GADF30.
Both of those were entry level guitars in the US and apparently Fender believed they couldn't get enough return on 'em at domestic production costs.
And given that that niche is now dominated by off-shore models I suspect that's why it remains an MIC only offering, for now at least, as Frono explained.
Indeed the Chinese line only started offering
archback options within the last 2 years or so, so it's still relatively new for them as the archbacked D240e.
There's even a D260e "Deluxe" version featuring striped
ebony body along with the flatback D120 original all-hog formula.
What impresses me even as a US-built loyalist is the actual variety of build formulas coming out of Grand Reward (the factory), although I'm sure CMG is calling the shots.
I'm positive that kind of variety simply couldn't be produced cost-effectively here.
The next rung up the ladder is the D40 and they have built that one here in 2 versions.
It occurs to me the F30 is also still in that same position as the D25, no current US-built versions but at least 3 different MIC versions.
I gotta wonder if these MIC D25 and F30 versions are actually considered the backbones of the line going back to day 1?
Not to say there could never be some US-built runs but they may be a little hard-pressed to come up with something "different" enough to justify the cost differential.