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Regulatory/Licensing and complexity of pcb design for rf and assembly issues and all that aside, if you look up the cost on the CYW43 wireless chip, it costs more than the Pico W module last I checked.

Wireless is a very popular feature on PicoMEM from the discussions I see and from my own personal use.

I believe it is done that way because it helps replacing the component if needed without having to order a new bespoke pcb

Edit: Also, the rp2040 is harder to solder than the other chips in the board due to the different packaging, so that might play a role on it

No, it doesn't save an awful lot at small scale(in my gut feeling <200 units). Engineering time saving far outweighs paying $4 extra for Pico.

Look at PicoGUS [0], at first it was a similar semi-prototype board with an off-the-shelf Pico module and then it was redesigned into a neat simple expansion card.

Give it some time.

[0] https://picog.us/