Hi, I think this announce may interest many people.
First, a disclaimer: I am a Gong ambassador
And a warning: this is an announce for something to be on the market in spring 2018, we all know that we must expect the unexpected... such as delays.

Gong has announced a low cost entry level foil system, that it will sell at 399 euros ($471 / AUD 599), pre-ordering at the end of 2017 for a shipping in spring 2018. It is available to all brands, that will be able to customize and sell their own versions on this common, compatible technological base for Kite / Wind / SUP / Surf foiling. The cost saving was made possible by not using carbon (thus an heavier foil), an economy of scale on a standardized set of components, and working for a long time with the same high quality factory. It is an entry level offering, the full carbon & G10 high end foils will still be available.

The announcement by Patrice Guenole (aka L'Ours / The Bear) is at: www.gongsup.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=9417 Feel free to comment on the Gong forum, or here on seabreeze of course.

I copy here the english parts, and the pictures:

I am getting back on a subject that I had mention in an earlier post and would like to announce the soon to be release of our GONG Foils in Aluminum and Fiber Glass at 399?.

We have conceived Three Foils, one for each discipline, all progressive, solid and compatible.
The Product will be in China in order to keep these prices down where they should be.
They will be in Stock in the beginning of Spring and on sale at the end of the year.

Our High Quality Made in France Production remains in the Catalogue.

Hence we will have all our actual Foils plus a complete Line for 399?.
The Stab will remain the same for each discipline.
The Wings, Masts and Fuselages are interchangeable making it able to switch from one sport to another with ease.
They are all easy Foils.
The Spare Parts will be at an incredible low price with your choice of a Tuttle Box or Pedestal Top Plates.

I do believe that this announcement is something to shout about.

Fuselages, Masts and Pedestals are all in high quality Aluminum.
The Wings are in fiberglass with Carbon Reinforcements.

We will use Parts common to many Manufacturers in order to lower the prices. It is an idea I've been pushing since we helped launch the first Foil Factory in China many years ago with Jean Jacques Deboichet. I do believe that the High End equipment should maintain their unique specifications but the entry level range Mast and Plate have something in common makes total sense.

The difference in behavior will be made by the Wings and adjustments that were made when designing the overall architecture and not by the ''Neutral'' parts such as the Mast and Plate. Hence each Brand is free to give their Foil any specific characteristic all while lowering the price of entry for the client.