For us 'the consumer' it is a cost issue. If Shiloh purchases a new 97 in 2009, for practically the same cost as they were originally offered, I would think the product would have comparable features and acces. as similarly priced units. In the electronics world old designs have a tendancy to drop in price dramatically in just a few years.
Weren't there lower priced units on the market before the 97 that included hard covers? Or soft covers? There is obviously a market for the cover.
The real question is H'bird planning on offering a cover now or in the future on their $800 unit, while currently offering a cover on lower priced units?

I would definitely purchase a cover even as an aftermarket acces.