The increased cost of the baulkhead is probably the manufacturer making more money off us
It doesn't cost anywhere near $45 for them to make that part, more like $5 at the most. Like MugenDrew said the parts are all extracted. we say "CNC'ed but this is wrong, you can see the cut marks on a CNC'ed part, whilst all RC alloy parts are smooth which implies they are extracted or made in a mould.
the reason car kits are more exxy now is that the consumer percieves a higher value in something that is filled with carbon fibre and bling alloy. It looks a million bucks, manufacturers know this, so they charge more.
We don't live in the dar ages, metal, especially common types like the ones used in RC aren't that exxy, we the consumers percieve it to be, so the manufacturers take advantage of this
Don't believe the hype.
for example look at the old T1 xrays or the corallys of 8 or 9 years ago. They had carbon fibre, 7075 diff outdrives, kevlar belts and alloy baulkheads, they were no where near as expensive as most electric kits now, and they had the same amterial as the kits of today.