Most all advanced mercury outboards along with many other are made in China.I have one and love it. Could buy 3 name brand for what i paid for it. The last guy i met that ran them down, had a mercury on his boat. i ask him to check it. ASSEMBLED in China. So Funny
You just fucked your motor. You're supposed to break them in. Not full throttle from the outset. Obviously you didn't take the time to read the owners manual
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. I can't see a reason to buy these. I couldn't find US pricing online, but Canadian prices don't look appealing compared to Japanese brands.