95% of cars in the US are automatics. The reason manuals are more popular in other countries is because they are cheaper, more fuel efficient, and (at least in

95% of cars in the US are automatics. The reason manuals are more popular in other countries is because they are cheaper, more fuel efficient, and (at least in Europe) learning how to drive a stick is (basically) a required. There is a major price difference right now, but the switch to electric and market forces will drive those costs down. Tack on insurance discounts and the price delta will be smaller than that of automatic vs manual.