My point of discussion was that it appears that HPI is targeting the RTR crowd vs. the dedicated r/c racer. Thats why I mentioned the cost of the 5T which is HPI's biggest RTR. I agree with you, the larger scales do cost more to operate/build.. God knows I know about that!!
Both you and I know that start up on a pro level 1/10 car is lower than $1300. But, with all of the introductions of vintage style cars,(electric and nitro) it appears to me that our beloved R40 and other pro level nitros have been shelved by HPI.
To be honest, who knows where the trend in the R/C car market is moving? One day it's rock crawling, the next it's vintage,the next is drifting, the next day its 1/5 gas..etc. Either way RTR is a common thread that is keeping the industry afloat.