I have to believe they listen to their marketing folks mainly - hey they are a profit seeking business..
An example some years back one of the big companies did re-releases - the ones where the molds were in good shape, they marketed as priemium limited re-releases for the collector. The others, from the same basic series, where the molds were damaged - lots of cleanup or warpage, they markets for youngsters complete with a patch, booklet and membership certificate. When one of the magazines noted this they threatened to pull their advertizing. Big and cool subjects seem to trump accuracy and quality. And since a lot of people build for fun - I know people who love to glue parts together, they find it relaxing, and wouldn't touch a paint brush, or simply build straight from the box. Hugh Japanese submarine has appeal.
On the other hand - folks have tried really hard to influence re-releases and failed. There were multiple attempts via r.m.s to get Revell to reissue the 1950s space station and XSL-Moon Rocket. Write to the message board, email revell etc - many participated but it never happened. I just bought some re-releases from that period and couldn't help but wonder - weren't these some of the least interesting kits from those sets - but that could mean the ones whose molds aren't worn and in need of repair,
There have also been some subjects that modelers consistently asked for and never got - my view here is another subject was available in a museum near the manufacturer.
Bottom line is - many things drive the hobby - not sure the modeler is one of the main ones.
Val Kraut