Wonder if that has something to do with size of America relative to most countries in Europe. Americans just simply have to drive more and for longer distances. Driving doesn't seem so fun in the midwest.

Well, car enthusiasts here in the US also consider driving a pleasure and a skill, and I too vastly prefer shifting myself when driving at speed. On the other hand, I find driving in heavy traffic with a manual transmission to be incredibly tedious. That's why a dual-clutch transmission is my favorite - manual performance and control when I want it, automatic convenience when I don't.