I don't think City's owner thinks about how to grow our fanbase. They probably think that if we are successful, then they can sell out any stadium they like just by setting the prices and they are probably right. City fans aren't a different species. Fans watch successful football sides because there are few things more entertaining in the world than seeing your side put 4 past the opposition at every home game.
Now that seasoncard holders can sell their tickets, we will find it very difficult to sell every seat in the stadium, and we have also lost some seasoncard holders this season by allowing them to defer. Those two changes probably explain why there are single seats available in the ground.