My 2 cents.
The 1/10 gas truck scene was populated by AE,Losi and the on rare cases kyosho.
The manufacturers did not dare to venture in the market and were not willing to make the risk.
When Truggies came into the scene. Big name drivers are driving truggies at races which helped with the marketing.Every one wants one. Monster truckers like the size. buggy drivers like the speed. The perfect mix.
Another factor is most rc hobbist would and already have a .21,.28 engine , servo's which can can always just slap in a 1/8 gas truck. Every1 mailed thier favorite manufacturers if they will have a truggy of the brand
.
Safe to say 70% jumps into the scene. Last check on 2007 a total of 9 manufacturers have a 1/8 truggy in their list and this year another 4 more.*See my point that the 1/10 truck class was limited?
With the luxury to choose and the abundance of parts from their favorite brand i think its a factor why most drivers now at least owns one 1/8 buggy and one buggy
.I have a rc10gt which is now a shelf queen and i miss the old days
.