>> 'The popular belief is that the first character in the serial number refers to the factory. We know that a first letter of C refers to Cort, and it is popularly believed that a first letter of S refers to Samick, and a first letter of V probably refers to Vester.' (Axe-Dater)

I must stress that the Samick and Vester associations are logical assumptions, which, AFAIK, have not been officially confirmed certainly not in the case of Vester.

No matter what, just like Epiphones made by Samick are not re-branded Samicks (most of the specs are quite different), Squiers made by Cort, Samick, Vester, etc, are FMIC spec axes produced on behalf of FMIC.

Cort makes some very decent axes, while Samick is a solid brand, and Vester have also made some solid entry-level axes. AFAICS, none of this in itself detracts from Squier.