It is not just recently either. In 2011 I bought a Leica M 75mm F2 Apo Summicron for not much short of £2000.00 brand new. These were only made in Germany. The focusing ring felt rough as if someone had forgotten to lubricate the helix. I have some 50 year old Leica lenses ( the silver ones ) that feel like a Rolls Royce in operation. Competeing against cheap junk from the far east has taken its toll on the European manufacturing.
A.G