Rather because Boeing wanted to remain "competitive" against Airbus' superior alternative by selling something that didn't exist, namely the factually different

Rather because Boeing wanted to remain "competitive" against Airbus' superior alternative by selling something that didn't exist, namely the factually different plane which would be certified as "the same". https://leehamnews.com/2019/03/20/boeing-didnt-want-to-re-engine-the-737-but-had-design-standing-by/ https://leehamnews.com/2019/03/20/boeing-didnt-want-to-re-en...