The 8s tooling is all paid for so I expect that they'll continue making 8s in low to lower mid quality ranges, just the same way they still make 6&7s low end stuff. However the numbers are driven by OEM sales, and no manufacturer will spec a decent bike 8s when 9s cost him about the same.
There's an assumption that more = better, and while experienced users may differ, they're not the ones mid level bikes are aimed at.
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