I don't know about the old blue bike, but the orange is reportedly made in China (for a German company).
My understanding is that with Chinese manufacturing, you get what you pay for. If you go with the lowest bid, you get Chinese cars like from those pictures. If you put quality over price, you get bikes like the orange one.
While we are sharing Imgur posts:
Now tell me to replace my head gasket!
[I have not worked on it in months!]