The C214 was a electret capsule, so it was distinctly different from the 414. Not meaning to ding electrets; Earthworks and DPA's are electrets, but it distinctly different.
I can see the 414 being an expensive legacy thing to produce, and they are looking for a more reasonable option, hopefully of equivalent quality, perhaps not. If it were my business I would use the high grade caps made by their expert capsule makers, while the hardware (body, etc) which isn't directly related to sound quality would be redesigned for cheaper manufacture and outsourced. And who really needs 9 patterns, and a few different roll-off options? But if it were my business I would explain that's exactly what I had done. The fact that they don't, makes me wonder.
I had 414's, I liked them, but I like TL's better (except for the weight).