What's exactly the reason why so many Americans drive Automatic cars?
Apparently 90% of all Americans drive an automatic car. And only 15% of Europeans drive an automatic vehicle. As an European, I don't get this. Why do so many Americans choose to drive automatic? I asked my dad his opinion on automatic vs manual. He has 2 cars, one's an automatic, and his other car is for work, and has a manual transmission. So I ask him which one he likes better. He says that it really doesn't matter a tiny bit to him. He says that he doesn't even notice a difference because he's so used to shifting gears himself. I think most other European drivers would say the same: That it doesn't matter. So why do Americans choose to drive an automatic so often? I don't think that the answer is as simple as: 'oh it's just easier' because then we would also be driving automatics more often. But that's not the case.
The American Highway system is much different than the European system in that we can drive much further on very straight roads where a lot of shifting is not required. And with today's automatics there is a very small penalty in fuel mileage and our fuel is comparatively cheap compared to prices in Europe. It is also no great secret that an automatic is better at keeping the engine in the proper rev range for a multitude of driving scenarios. I have the good fortune to have multiple vehicles at my disposal, a 1/3 of which are manual equipped. Depending on my mood and where I am driving I will take either as I am quite comfortable with both. I must say that driving in stop and go traffic is a lot more pleasant with an automatic though.