The manual gearbox isn’t the most popular transmission in the United States. Only a select few prefer a sick shift, with mainstream consumer interest having largely shifted to automatic and CVT units. On top of the convenience of the automatic or CVT, manuals aren’t a cheaper option anymore. Back in the day, the manual transmission was standard kit on many cars, with the automatic options having an up-charge – but that’s no longer the case. And since automatics are generally more frugal, more buyers are opting for those – and thus, so are manufacturers.
