Same with the new Pixel. A device to inspire Chromebook makers to make better, more powerful Chromebooks. And they (Google) themselves said that they don't aim to sell a ton of Pixels and make a lot of money out of it. I think they do it fairly.
Wasn't that the case with Nexus phones as well? If I remember correctly, Nexus One was partially built to show other manufacturers that a top of the line device can be built and ran on Android.