For those suggesting that releasing a product with underperforming auto-focus, just to be able to fix it after 30 days later as some sort of sales strategy, I'm not convinced you really understand how business works at the global level.
One of the recurring themes by many on this forum is that Canon keeps resting on its laurels / reputation - I don't subscribe to that personally, as I'm in the camp of "making art is the result of a whole system, and photographer, and subject" , rather than it all depending on a fraction extra DR in the sensor, but still.... However, Canon does have a formidable and hard-won reputation, and that reputation will be a key part to survival in a market place that is currently heading south. To suggest that they would intentionally risk destroying that reputation is not sensible.
A mistake, something missed in QC, etc? .....well, no-one is perfect..... but to do it intentionally, when experienced business people (as well as most others) know a reputation is hard won and easily lost? It is just not something you do as part of a 'strategy'.