That's really debatable, unless it's really apples to apples. If you compare 2 OEMs shipping to the same place at the same time making the same thing, then yes, you'd expect prices to be similar. But if you're comparing the cost structure of a western brand, inventory, VAT, distributors, marketing, and so on, then you can't say that a 4k frame is automatically better than a 500 frame.
In fact, a factory that makes the actual factor frames probably charges factor less than 500$ for each frame.
So, it really depends on where your money is going / which layers of fat it's padding.
I've heard estimates that the raw material for a top-end frame is $300-$400 alone. Rob Gitelis from Factor gave an interview earlier this year where he pegged the price of raw materials at $365. Once you include the stuff done at the factory including labor, engineering and testing to ensure the bike is safe to ride, and the mold costs + production issues/scrap rates, I believe that the prices that brands like Quick, Elilee, and Seka are asking for aren't that crazy for their top end bikes (i.e., there is no way their factory cost is ~$500 for their top models)--with Quick maybe even being a pretty good deal even if they aero they do is more marketing than development when compared to a company like Specialized.
That also makes me appreciate the efforts that ICAN, Speeder, and others are making to sell us frames and forks at the price point they do, even if they would be second or third-tier for brands like Specialized regarding raw material inputs.
Rims seem to be similar, with a steep markup for t1100 or t1000 lightweight models, but whole wheels also need to account for the cost of hubs and spokes, which vary quite a bit. Again, you also pay a premium for Chinese brands even if you can find similar rim molds, often due to higher-end hub designs that use more expensive bearings and metal inputs (e.g., Farsports vs. Wheelsfar). Similar to my comment on frames, I really appreciate the efforts to sell directly by Peter and others because what they are offering for the cost...while not for me right now is a remarkable deal. They have put together what seems to be a great combination of rims, H-Works hubs and carbon spokes.
