Skycatcher was supposed to be an alternative to highly expensive single engine pistons that classic Skyhawks had become ($350k). For a third of the money you could have a light sport airplane, a brand new design with Garmin glass and all the cool things you need, like a ballistic parachutes and a more comfortable cabin than the 152 ever had. The 162 was not intended to be a direct replacement for the 152 because the latter was to heavy to qualify under light sport rules permitting milder pilot licensing requirements. People who own/fly SC's love them, and the problems with the tail were quickly solved during testing. See this old thread-

Vmc for a single engine airplane