Becouse they all want to commit suicude?

As far as I am concerned it's random. But it's more likely that it happen if you are surrounded... ;)

I had one run onto a grenade, a Alien horse lookin thingy closed in to kill him, next round he moved ran far away, and the grenade exploded in the Alien's face, so it worked for the better.

You had luck.Once my captain gone berseker and with three well aimed shots killed my squadies that stand before him and one civiliand.Then he get himself promptly killed by a chrysalid... :ranting:

Question for those who know the ins and out of this game.

All things considered, is it profitable to manufacture things for sale? I have this master plan to run a fairly long game without taking over the Mars base, and I want to ensure myself an abundance of cash by building bases dedicated heavily to manufacture (specificly Laser Cannons, as they seem to pay the msot and not need Elerium). So, would it be possible to make money this way and not have to depend on pesky handouts from nations that start moaning the moment you let anything fly over them without frying said 'anything' thoroughly into one big crash-and-burn?

I used this tactic to get me some extra money but never to totaly rely on it .
I dont advise it coz if u build more bases and more workshops and have more engineers ur maintenance costs will go sky high.
If u need cash just sell ur heavy plasmas i always had 10 unused hanging around and they bring a LOT of money.

For raising funds, I'd advise building a strike base near an existing alien base. Attack the supply ships that land and "raid" the base for kills and loot (don't destroy, repeatedly assault). It gets you money and uber soldiers in a hurry, not to mention a massive score. :P

Never thought of that !!

and i have the nickname!!!
But if u dont destroy the base u lose funding of the country the base is in,

not if you have a higher score than you enemy. :D

Even if you make money through manufacture, you'll still be at the mercy of all the nations: if they all convert to the aliens' side, it's game over, no matter how rich you are.
As an additional way to make money, it might work, but not as your main objective.