Do all of you North America types realise that elsewhere in the world the manual gearbox is ubiquitous?
I'd be prepared to bet that at least 80% of europeans learned to drive a manual and, until perhaps 6-7 years ago, manual cars probably outsold autos 2-1.
Dare I say it, the manual gearbox as the generic is essentialy the quartz watch....
The reason this is changing comes to down to emmissions based taxation.
Whilst the auto has more internal friction (and is less efficient) the testing specifies gear ratio and road speed for manuals but allows the auto to pick its ratio at the specified road speeds so the autos perform better in standardised testing. Stacking an extra ratio or 3 in there also helps.
EVs, PHEVs and radar cruise control are also reducing the number of manuals sold.
