I haven't been able to figure out why, either.
Panthera, you have a great point.
WHY?
Is it because Americans are so unimaginative that these products never make it to here -- even though they are engineered and in many instances built here?
I still can't understand why a country that has done so much accepts such bad engineering.
Oh, 'glitz' and 'glitter' in America is solid granite counter tops, and whatever is currently high end for floors, I have no idea.
I'd rather have laminate counter tops, thermofoil cabinets and well performing (NOT high end because that's all glitz in too many instances) appliances. Kitchens are designed to cook, not be show places in my opinion. (Though I have to admit, I wouldn't mind if mine were a little larger so a breakfast table could go in there. It's a modest room by USAian standards: about 11x11 feet. And until one of the remodels in the late 80s, it was an eat in kitchen. But to go back to that would mean giving up a dishwasher as the stove would have to go there and that isn't acceptable

.)
My current house was built in the 60s, and I'm kind of amazed at what was considered 'nice' then would be considered downscale today. It suits me, but it isn't luxurious; the bathroom is the size of a bathroom, not a palace, there isn't a 'master suite' and the rooms are modest sized (the master bedroom is 12x12). BUT the house is made of stout solid brick, is a ranch, has oak floors throughout except in the kitchen, and has plumb walls and level floors - from a man who has done a bunch of DIY on a 200 year old farmhouse too that is a pearl beyond price.
Anyway i'm digressing but I do wonder whatever happened to the idea in this country where things should perform well and not necessarily be over the top glitzy. Any ideas?
Nate