I think you're onto something. U.S citizen here and I actually love driving stick but where I live it's a few hour drive to anywhere which makes driving a manual seem like more of a hassle, whereas those long trips in an automatic feel leisurely and I'm more well rested when I arrive.

Couple that with manuals more commonly found in larger trucks around here. I work on vehicles, see many and can't remember the last small car or truck that was manual. It's all semi's, dump trucks, dualies, you know? Big trucks which adds another barrier to people.

I feel like if there were smaller manuals in my area then perception would change. As it is they're reserved for work, big work at that.

It's sad to lose manuals in society but I'm seeing them less and less, everything seems to be going electric now, even companies known for diesel manuals.