I see smart marketing trick from Pentax like that.
FA35/2 was removed - but first, Pentax raised the price, because it broke sales IMHO.
the general consumer choice now is:
compact 40/2.8, but more expensive than 35/2.4 and slightly slower.
31/1.8 and 43/1.9 - fast and cool made, but very expensive. but the difference between 1.8/1.9 and 2.4 is not huge.
35/2.8 Limited - a cheaper than FA LIMITED, but also cool made, but only 2.8 and more expensive than 35/2.4.
Who do not have much money, and who only came up with the first DSLR and who wants to use fixed lens is likely to pay their 190 euro (and then - even a bit less) for the 35/2.4.
The customer is crammed into a certain limits of Pentax marketers.
And I think that 35/2.4 is very fast. It is lightweight and small.