Diesel's aren't welcome here. Whether that's from lobbying from the big three or not, who know's. I can't imagine its from them, as it has cost them a flippin' fortune trying to stay legal, and keep up with the warranty issues caused by all the smog B.S.
The difference in the small trucks available inside/outside the US has baffled me for a long time. The first time I visited Chile, I remember seeing an awesome four door Mitsubishi 4x4 with a diesel and 5 speed manual (before there was ever a four door truck in the US). I saw the four door Nissan in Saudi years before it came to the US and I bought one as soon as they brought them here (but was pretty unimpressed with the dreadful fuel mileage...remember that V8 Juice commercial? Slap your head...Yeah, that bad). Just look at these models of trucks with good power and put our truck's mileage to shame - two of which are US manufacturers...Why don't they think we would buy these?
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/pictures/compact-trucks-we-want-to-come-to-america#slide-1 Because Americans want big v-8s and big power. Many do not really have any experience with diesels either. Many do not want to have to deal with not being able to find diesel at the pump in some areas. Diesels are also expensive, when I worked at BMW I learned that the Diesel engine was a $15k upgrade!
On the other hand the EPA seems to have concluded that diesels are the dirtiest motors on the planet. Most of the diesels internationally would not pass emissions here. I can see why many vehicles would not be offered here because expected sales would be low, and it would be expensive.
