The shock was initially developed for the Cat. When I first tested the Cougar it didn't have big shocks on it - and there was actually some debate as to weather they would fit! (they were fitted by the end of that day though
)
Molded stuff will be cheaper once you have paid for the mold tool. I don't know how much this stuff costs, but it isn't likely to be cheap. I guess in the long term they are happy that the plastic bits will work out cheaper.