... I'd suggest our government regulators are a big part part of the shift toward automatics in newer trucks.
It's much easier for automakers to achieve fleet economy standards when they can computer control the shift points. As those fleet numbers go higher every little bit of economy they can get will be needed....
that makes it sound more like it's lazy mfgrs are the ones responsible, using "driver behavior control" instead of designing more efficient engines
my take from chatter with salesmen and mechanics is it's because most drivers demand automatics, a lady friend who does landscape wanted a pickup with stick awhile back and the dealer folks were taken aback, hadn't had anyone [especially female] wanting a standard for ages - had to bring one in from a place hundreds of miles away .... the older I get the more I wonder if I shouldn't get one
Bill
