A new Beech Baron is over $1MM so you're probably right that a VLJ could compete in that price range but I think Eclipse found out that it was unrealistic to sell their airplanes at that price and not expect to lose a lot of money.
I just looked into Eclipse again, because if they performed as stated, they really fit my mission. I think of it as a P-Baron with jets in that the dimensions are similar, payload with full fuel and range. Of course, it's faster and goes higher. What peaked my interest was seeing several on ASO and Controller.com for $800,000.
The more I dug, the more I backed away. Unfortunately, to get one of these up to full cert with new avionics and FIKI, one will have $1,300,000 or so in it. There are some offered at that price fully upgraded, and I looked into those. Well, several other issues arose. With Sikorski's involvement now, support may improve, but it's not certain yet. So, the last thing I want is $1,300,000 in an orphan aircraft. Wayne on here pointed out how many SBs and ADs there were on the early C500 series jets. Last thing I need is a $1,300,000 aircraft that is still part of a young fleet having a new AD that is costly to repair.
When one looks at the actual aircraft, some things just look, well.....flimsy. I guess I'm used to Beech quality and this isn't it. And, as Wayne also nicely pointed out: where do the golf clubs go? That is, the only baggage storage is in the cabin. I have a nice nose compartment in the P-Baron.
So, I'm afraid a well build twin VLJ or light jet at or near $1,000,000 just isn't doable. The Mustang is closer to $3MM. The single engine jets in conception will come closer, but a commercial operator and may owner/operators will want two engines; especially when one goes high, far and fast due to all the hostile terrain and weather they might encounter.
Still a big hole in the market IMO. The King Air is about three times as much to operate as my P-Baron. It' s a very different cabin class plane with a potty. One is pushing a lot more cabin through the air with the amount of drag that accompanies that.
I was a candidate for the Eclipse, but not now. I know a fella with one in has hanger sitting unused. Just a shame.
Best,
Dave