Any car-buffs here?

Question... Automatic gears/transmission are standard in USA, and this makes it a hell of a lot easier/less hassle to drive, IMO. Yet, in Ire, Eng etc driving involves manual gear changes.

Why hasn't automatic superceded manual everywhere? Like in an evolutionary process, where the better idea spreads to render the old way defunct.

I was going to post this on the Straight Dope website, but I think you lot here are smarter than a bunch of geeky know-it-alls. And I'm banned there for claiming to be in the IRA (true story).

I await your insight. (Apologies for any inaccurate car jargon.)