Look at the money the car manufacturers make on auto transmissions. By the time you figure in the clutch, linkage, flywheel, pressure plate, throwout bearings and everything else that goes along with a man-trans do you really think it COSTS $1000-$2000 more for them to manufacture an auto trans?

I can tell you this Lam,

My first and foremost favorite truck is an X5. I am still waiting to see what the "is" model is going to bring when I am due for my new wheels next September.

But if I don't love the X5"is" - my next option is going to be the Cayenne GTS in a manual transmission. - I'm pretty sure that a Cayenne Turbo is within my budget, but I'd rather have the naturally aspirated, six speed manual, BECAUSE I can get it in manual.

__________________
----------------------------------------------------------

"When two people agree on everything, one of them is not necessary" - Arliss

THis is a very easy question:

Outside of the US, it is very expensive to own and operate a car. The cars themselves are very expensive, gas is even worse. That being said, it is almost a luxury to have a car, and driving is considered a skill to have. Manaul cars are less expensive (usually) AND they offer the driver more control over the car, hence when you add up all of those factors, manual tranny's are more popular. (In the UK it costs a significant amount of money to pay for FORMAL TRAINING to even get a license, it's not like in the US where every kid gets a permit as soon as they're old enough and have had absolutely zero training). Also outside the US, gas is so damn expensive that all of the cars have tiny little engines, and until recently many didn't even have airconditioning. If you put an automatic in a car with a small engine and an ac compressor, you could probably walk faster. Remember, the US is the land of V6's and big V8's that can move a car with a slushbox.

Why are automatics more popular in the US?
1) easier to drive in our overly congested roads
2) driving isn't a skill to be obtained for everyone, it's a necessity to be obtained in order to live your life
3) the quantity of people in the US who need a car and see it as a necessity or basic form of transport and not a skill far outnumber the # of people who feel the same way in other countries.
4) gas is cheap
5) engines are big

In the US, anyone can get a license and drive some sh*tbox around, outside of the US it's too expensive and not available to the masses (overall).

__________________
You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.

the economics, as well as other factors, combined lead to what's popular where.

Are you for real asking this question???
Don't you know an answer? I presume you are an American and lived at this country for a while.

What? Your comment makes no sense. Please clarify alexz.

No I meant to say that the original question you asked sounded very naive.
I thought everyone knows answer why automatic trannys are indeed de-facto standard here.
I do agree with Gresch's response above 100%

double whammy of high cost of gas and high annual taxes based on engine displacement.

The great bulk of the cars in Europe are 1-2 liters with a considerable segment under 1 liter for better gas mileage and lower taxes. While it is possible to fit an automatic to such small engines, they take a significant toll in both performance and MPG.

OTOH in the USofA we drive (relatively) long distances, have (relatively) cheap gas, and no tax on engine size. As a consequence American cars expanded into large displacement, slow turning engines - ideal for development of automatics.