Everyone is feeling the pinch right now from inflation, gas prices, etc. I think Lionel is making the smart business decision to sell an engine that will have the broadest appeal possible. This engine won't actually hit shelves until next late next year, who knows what the economic landscape will look like then? Let's not discount (no pun intended! 
) other possibilities like nucelar escalation in Ukraine, Chinese invasion of Taiwan, international food shortages, or anything else that might put a damper on Vision Line orders. (In accordance with forum rules I make no political assertions about any of the above, I merely acknowledge them as a possibility!)
I am not business man but perhaps this is less of a "profit/sales maximizing" decision and more of a "loss-minimizing" decision.
