This is the thread that never dies. 
I’ve been coming across a similar Pilot pen called the G-Tec-C, seen them at a couple of stationery shops. I bought one and it turned out to be the same as the Hi-Tec-C under a slightly different name.
I imagine the big wigs at Pilot got word that third parties were importing the Hi-Tec-C’s and realized there was potential to make money by bypassing the middle man.
They’re a bit cheaper but they don’t have the same color and tip size selection as the Hi-Tec-C’s.
http://staples.com/Pilot-G-Tec-C-Gel-Ink-Pens-Ultra-Fine-Point-Black-3/product_911977