Been wondering that myself.
I wish you would have put pb/lb by those post numbers. Anyway I can sort of see your point. Though all posts here are certainly "hoovered" up, I don't know if you will get a direct response here.
I have a little experience with manufacturing. GM seems badly run and supported by taxpayer bailouts, but there might be more to what you are seeing than a stupid attempt to make 3M look bad. Seems to me I've seen similar games before when a manufacturer doesn't know the future of the product. Get a supplier to provide you with a stash of components you will need.
Out of professional curiosity if it is safe for you to disclose is the item injection molded?