I'm sure they can, but they have a ton of surplus XV cases and dial plates to burn through first. The hands were also originally used on the white dial XV rep as well, I think.
I have two theories regarding the XVI. This is just conjecture, but it seems to make sense (at least in my head).
1) The factories are testing the waters with this watch; plans of a future, better and improved XVI may be contingent on whether there is any demand for it. or...
2) The WM9 initiative may be similar to their 16610 project in that the design will likely be a premiere under their name, but will not be 100% exclusive to them. We may see an improved XVI to be released that isn't WM9 labled, per se. But prior to this happening, the factories are trying to move this left over stock of parts so as not to take a huge bath on the expenses incurred in producing these items. The XV was, of course not an accurate watch and neither is this roll out of the current XVI. To be stuck with these items would be taking a loss; probably a decent sized one at that, as I'm sure nothing would move with a better XVI on the market.
What's really going on is anybody's guess