These are some thoughts on how to minimize the cost of the VI.
PCB Design DFM
Increase spacing between pin-through-holes(PIH) and surface-mount components(SMT) to allow wave soldering. For next iteration, potentially separate the two as much as possible.
Negatives: none
Remove Bluetooth
Cost Savings: ~$25 (1000 unit quantity) by removing the module, associated components on board and the slight size decrease that would be possible.
Negatives: No wireless support, USB only.
Use a different MCU in the same family
Cost Savings: ~$2 (1000 unit quantity) by going with the LPC1754 (half the price of the LPC1769)
Negatives: Only 1 CAN controller
Use a different MCU from another family
Cost Savings: ?
NXP’s Cortex-0 family doesn’t have CAN controllers. The PIC32 family is generally more expensive than the LPC1769. Any other options?
Remove 12v power port
Remove 1 RGB LED
Cost savings: $1
Remove 1 button
Cost savings: ~$0.35
VI Reference Design