OK I'm in sales (not of bikes, but similar rules apply). In general (and excuse the sweeping generalisations).

The American market for most goods works on the basis of mass production, stack it high, sell it cheap and get two for the price of one. The Americans won't pay extra for quality or optional extras.

The Northern European market works on the basis of exclusivity, and they will if possible avoid the mass produced item, if something better can be got even if it costs twice as much.

This reason Amercian companies like Costco (who sell low cost bulk foodstuffs in the USA you have to pay a large sum for annual membership) failed and when bust in Europe until they changed their model. same applies to Dunkin donuts or Taco Bell. Household names in the USA, failed companies in Europe.

Therefore whilst the basic bike may be same, in Europe it comes fully loaded whith marginally higher spec items, in the USA it's a real basic model and you pay extra for items that are not really optional on a bike that will be used properly. Also as pointed out most American bikes son't get the sort of milage that it's European counterpart gets in a lifetime.

Also explains why Harrods has never opened a store on 5th Avenue, and if you want a handbuild frame in the USA it comes from Europe