FWIW -- from Dale Jewetts' article, "Americans Prefer Two Pedals to Three," Automotive Industries, November 1999, page 15:
Overall Industry 1998 Calendar Year:
• North America....83% Automatic / 17% Manual.
• Asia-Pacific.....47% Automatic / 51% Manual.
• Western Europe...13% Automatic / 87% Manual.
• Global...........45% Automatic / 55% Manual.
General Motors 1998 Calendar Year
• North America....90% Automatic / 10% Manual.
• Asia-Pacific.....60% Automatic / 40% Manual.
• Western Europe...90% Automatic / 10% Manual.
• Global...........65% Automatic / 35% Manual.
...sorta 'explains' *why* GM almost went under, ie: they don't "read" their customers very well at all. Instead they push automatics and only reluctantly offer manuals.
Last edited by gone-ot; 12-15-2010 at 03:31 PM..
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