Actually; region locks are more about pricing control on software, protection against unstable currencies and import/export leverage over retailers (which ties into pricing control).
Region locks don't help you sell hardware, they do their intended job; they help sell software at a higher premium and software is the bread and butter of most console manufacturers.
Look at Nintendo's ridiculous pricing policy on 1st party software, think that would be remotely possible without strict regional pricing control?
Profits and politics.

Wow, who gave that idiot a microphone. I hope he gets fired for saying nonsense like this.

I disagree. It discourages people from buying their consoles.

I kinda doubt that region-locking exists so they can sell a few additional units to importers. Not to mention that you want people to buy a whole bunch of software, not hardware, because that's where the money comes from. The 3DS was also sold at a loss for quite some time so...

Ughh, I thought region locking was to protect local retailers. Smells like bs to me

That's the most idiotic thing I've read.

Calling him an idiot is perfectly OK, Rol!

Yeah, right. It's to protect local business. Nothing more. The extra hardware sales is a byproduct. A lot of people aren't going to invest in the other countries console. Then need a $70 voltage converter with it.

It may be one of the reasons but I doubt its the reason

Region-free sure didn't stop the DS from selling so many units.