Exactly.
SVT, SRT, Mazdaspeed, etc they're all what marketers term "Loss Leaders" or at the very least extremely low-margined vehicles. They get your name out there, they create brand loyalty, and they get people into your stores (dealerships) to buy lesser-priced items that you don't lose money on.
So when creating them it comes down to what vehicle is going to create the most buzz more than anything.