Core Dynamics = Federation ship, no matter what excuse like exclusivity one might wish to cook up.
Though I'm aesthetically driven, so I see the ships and I see 3 Core Dynamics style and 2 Gutamaya. I don't really mind this, as it would be flavourful for a company like Core Dynamics to produce more models.
Lore and, importantly, design are important to the game, rather than just having the red and blue team, and grants flavour. Without it, we might as well get rid of all factions and re-introduce the Gal Co-op.
I think though, that Core Dynamics ships shouldn't be sold outside of Federal systems. It would make sense you would need to go to a Federation outlet to get them, but your rank will be used to 'get one over the system' and give discounts, and the Imperial ones wouldn't (not even for Gutamaya).
The Dropship should be better (or more attractive as a purchase) though, which I'm not sure passenger transporting will give. I actually think it's a nice looking ship, and my favourite of the current Core Dynamics offerings.