Indeed, and thinking that > the end goal of more widespread veganism is actually undermined by the existence of meat substitutes as the GP says and OP agrees

Indeed, and thinking that > the end goal of more widespread veganism is actually undermined by the existence of meat substitutes as the GP says and OP agrees with, does not make any sense because offering a substitute that allows more meat eaters to ease into vegan eating can (from a vegan point of view) be a strictly morally superior action over meat eaters continuing to eat meat.