If a new rifle company wanted to really make some bucks right now, I'd suggest these two options:
1) Focus on varmint guns. Both rimfires and centerfires. The .17 HMR at our shop has outsold every other rimfire round 3:1 in the last three years. Not a made up figure.... 3:1. Also keep the price and options low enough for just about everyone to afford one. Savage has been selling the snot out of .17 HMRs for $250... and everyone is buying them up. And LORD DO THEY SHOOT!
2) Lots of companies are chasing TC with the Encore and Pro Hunter. CVA has the Elite, and Knight the KP-1 or whatever its called. This is a good plan, but I have yet to see one come as a kit. How about a matched pair of GROWN UP .223 and .270? Or a .243 and 30/06? Not a bad way to go... I know Rossi and I think H&R have hit on this a little bit.
Above all, if you want to sell to and American consumer market... make you gun in America. I was shocked at what a huge consideration this is for a lot of people when buying goods. I have gone through 20 gun cases trying to find one that was not made by a communist country or a former communist satelite before. Amazing.. but American made guns still roll off hot.
Key to success is to either make them expensive and high end... or to make a lot of them, and make them attainable. Tough to do. I wouldn't invest my money in you I'll say that.