So I just saw this and I thought I would add it after my post above….apparently, Specialized is indeed using US employees to unpack bikes, nearly-assemble them and then repack them for shipment to consumers.
They can buy directly from the Specialized website and opt to have the bike delivered to their home in a mostly assembled state, similar to what consumer-direct brands like Canyon offer. Specialized will use facilities in Salt Lake City and Ohio to pre-assemble bikes for this delivery option, and then ship them in larger boxes to the consumer. The packaging will include tools and QR codes that direct consumers to assembly videos
I can’t see how this makes much sense financially, but Specialized has clearly run the numbers and deemed it viable. I guess they are just using the margin that the delaer normally would have made and using it to pay for their assembly / labor / packaging.