If H-D is still selling all the bikes they can build, I don't think dealers would want a bike that won't sell taking up floor space. Don't forget that the uber-cool Super Glide Sport - the only Big Twin I ever lusted for - has been discontinued. This Sportster would seem to be the same sort of bike. The marketing guys figure Americans don't want this kind of Harley, I guess.
Buell has nothing to do with it - Harley owns them. If Harley says jump, Eric gets airborne. Besides, nothing in the Buell lineup seems like a direct competitor. The Lightnings are hooligan bikes, the Firebolts are sportbikes, and this Sporty looks to be a roadster.
My question is, why do the marketing guys think Europeans would be interested in a bike that harkens to old American dirt-trackers?