"So VW refuses to import them to the States."
There is a basic economic problem here in the States.
First of all, such tiny cars usually can't meet crash standards without a lot of re-engineering.
Second, and more importantly, there are zillions of 2-year-old used cars that are coming off of leases. Which do you want - a 2 year old Camry, or a new Polo? Most would pick the almost-new Camry, since it is a much nicer car. And, the car manufacturer must keep that market alive in order to make money off of leases.
Worse yet, the dealer makes maybe a few hundred off of a new car (they live off of service, trade-ins, insurance and financing)but they easily make several thousand off of a good used car. That's why the best sales people are always on the used car lot.
Finishing the deal, the car makers don't make much profit off of entry-level cars, but they make a ton off of loaded cars (like the Camry that we just talked about).
As you can see, everyone gets richer selling used cars instead of Polos, etc.
Ah, but you see some manufacturers have the vision and others do not.
Honda didn't manufacture the Insight for 7-years or so because it sold well, it manufactured it for the right to claim the gas mileage crown year after year. Great business and free advertising.
Can you imagine what VW would do if they had the gas mileage crown of 80mpg? They'd think it was a fluke and start downplaying it.
I took a walk out to that used car lot. It was a wake up allright. Toyota gets more money for their used cars than they do for new.