If it actually goes that way, then there'll be a re-set in the way these saws are viewed. The power heads will no longer be seen as an investment that is measured in years of service. Not necessarily "throw aways", but consumables similar to bars and chains. Realiability is still important, as no one will want to tolerate a fussy saw on the job. But longevity won't be as significant.
I have no illusions these are nothing more than tools they have virtually no resale value
I've never even tried to sell any.
I've given 3 clones to family 2 372s and a 58cc zenoah and loaned a couple out to friends and neighbors.
Most people have absolutely no idea about the specific of saws displacements,brands,bar mounts or anything that's common knowledge to us
They see a advertisement or store display and buy whatever
I probably get 10 to 1 homeowner stihl's and Husqvarna's in to work on versus pro saws
Most know the color's lol they don't even read the sticker's on the clone saws
But when i hand them these clones to run they are floored going from ms250s or 440 rancher's to 70cc saws
Several people here have bought their own clones like the neotec 58cc for 100.00 instead of paying 125.00 an hour dealer shop rates and waiting weeks or months to get saws fixed.
I work so much i don't work on people's saws much anymore
Nobody's brought any back they are still running farmers mostly not logger's.
My logger cousin runs one of those 660 clones and swears by it 3+ year's on it and it's still together.