And that's the bottom line right there. I'm not saying HT couldn't do it either...clearly they do produce an impressive array of figures, but Chewie pose a very distinct challenge....how to produce the figure that looks it's absolute best at a manufacturing cost that does not force them to charge $300 or more for the figure. Yes, there are those here who would buy it in that price range without batting an eye, but I think it's safe to say most of us would have to be really impressed to lay out that kind of coin for any figure...and that's a big gamble for any company.
Plus, if any company produces an adequate Chewie figure that ends up in the extreme upper range of consumer cost, I don't think many folks would expect to have to do any more than fix/position the hair/pose like one does the outfits and accessories of any other figure.