I don't think Stern just makes a bunch of pins, inventories them and hope people will buy them. My understanding is their current manufacturing model is much more of a build for demand approach. If they are doing another run of ST then it is because they have heard from their distributors that there is demand and the distributors are going to (or have already committed) to buying the majority of the run. Might not make much sense to Pinside, but I'd bet it makes sense to Stern.
I do agree calling it a VE is confusing, thought the same thing with AC/DC. Should have to be out of production for awhile and come back with some significant art or technical changes. Otherwise it is just another run. Maybe there are some changes they haven't announced yet?