If they had Model 978's in the warehouse right now, I'd call it strange squared. They don't, though, and having the AV7005 in the warehouse instead gives them a way to offer customers a very compelling package today when paired with their multichannel amps.

Will they keep selling it after the Model 978 arrives? I seriously doubt it!

As GaryB points out, there are some potential differences between the AV7005 and the Model 978. Some people may want to wait to see what the Model 978 brings to the table as far as audio performance is concerned - I've seen some folks unsure whether to pull the trigger on the AV7005 or wait to see if Marantz has an AV8005 in the pipeline, and the same will likely be true for some people who are already considering the Model 978. In the meanwhile, though, having the AV7005 now means you can make sales while the Model 978 finishes cooking.