A Different view.........
Unless one works for some individual who has deep pockets or is the Corporate B.Boy for a major money maker, Most of us end up working for small companies. (say 6-10 machines)
Prefacing that NOT ALL, but for the most part Helicopter companies are on the edge of survival. Sometimes to the point of payday is iffy this week.
Look at the B206L or the AS350 on the ramp and its advertised as a Million Dollar piece of machinery when you as the pilot know its a bucket of bolts, that used to be a Million Dollar piece of machinery. Thats not saying they are unsafe, its just they they have been and will continue to be used for the job at hand and all the niceties are unnecesary to bring in the cash.......
Bottom line, I dont think its as much the manufacturer as it is the owner trying to scrape every penny from wherever he can to pay for his SUV.....(agreeing also with the above regarding A models)