When I bought A Holley regulator in the late 1970's or early 80's it said on the box that it was made in USA with "some parts from Japan". When I looked into it, the cast parts were made in Japan, probably the box was the only part made in the USA. And as Japan has become a high cost country, I know they have outsourced lots of their industrial products to China. Check the PC and audio/photo industry! So it could be that the knock off is the real thing..... bought the cheapest way.