I don't know any actual details of this (it's news to me as much as anyone else), but I feel that it may be getting a little blown out of proportion. What it seems to me is happening is Cessna is simply including popular options as standard, and raising the base price to reflect that. Essentially, 99% of customers will pay that price for the plane anyways, so to save some money on production they are just making it standard.
Unfortunate for anyone that actually wanted a base model at the original price, but probably good in the long run for those that want a typically configured Skycatcher.
I will say that I get annoyed by complaints of it being 'built' in China. First and foremost, we live in a global economy, so people better get used to it. Secondly, the Skycatcher is assembled in the USA, literally across the runway from Cessna headquarters.
Also, as I will be adding to my sig...the opinions expressed above are my own and are in no way representative of fact or opinion of any other person, corporation, or company. So take it as such, please
