"It would be quite bizarre for an educated person to drop the OEM names like this "
I would say more of an educated ploy on his behalf.
So he has dropped a few names to let them know he is open for business negotiations so when the trials come back with positive results they will fight amongst themselves to get their share, and also might give PO3 a choice of which OEM player will get them a better market share.
Steve has dangled the carrot so lets see who bites first.