^
"But, it begs the question, if the piezoelectric ignition system was no less expensive, no less complex, no less reliable, etc.... then why put it into production at all?"
Because of the "latest and greatest 'zing'" factor. Note the name, "Scripto Electra XL." Given the times, what could be zingier than that? It was the "high tech" aspect of it which made me buy one. (Could have been simply a test marketing effort, too, who knows... who guesses?)
Terry, 230RN