Why do Americans drive automatic but most of Europe drives manual?

The preference starts early. In Europe, 15- and 16-year-olds learn to drive on Microcars with stick shifts. Europeans also prefer cars with manual transmissions because they use less fuel—an important consideration when people in Norway pay an average of $7.82 for a gallon of gas, according to Sixt.com.

Why do Americans mostly drive automatic cars?

The Ease of Driving Generally, Americans prefer things that are convenient and easy to use. Driving is no different. From the get-go, it’s easier to learn how to drive a car with an automatic transmission. All of this put together means that most Americans, other than pure car enthusiasts, will choose an automatic car.

When did automatics become faster than manuals?

In the United States, automatics have sold better than manual transmissions since at least the 1970s, and by 2007 automatics outsold manuals for the first time worldwide.

What percentage of cars in Europe are automatic?

Only 10-12 percent of new cars in Europe have automatic transmissions. In the US, more than 90 percent of cars use automatics. In Japan 75-90 percent have one. Many European drivers still treat an automatic transmission as an insult.

Are automatic cars becoming more popular in the UK?

Automatics accounted for 54\% of UK new-car sales in the first nine months of this year, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, breaking the 50\% barrier for the first time. Last year, automatics accounted for 49\% of sales, up from 43\% in 2018.

Why are most cars in the UK manual?

There is a regulation in the UK that you would have to drive a manual for the driving test if you want a license for the automatic as well. This is another reason why people prefer manual as their first cars. Having a manual license makes one eligible to drive automatic as well.