If Google wanted to, they'd figure out a way. It just isn't in their interest. They only care about the new shiny. We'll see what happens with the 2012 Nexus 7

If Google wanted to, they'd figure out a way. It just isn't in their interest. They only care about the new shiny. We'll see what happens with the 2012 Nexus 7 and Nexus 4 this time next year. They'll probably be discontinued too, as none of the Nexus lines have had updates for more than 2 years.