Because you can't actually buy them. I bought a car a few years ago, the option was base trim with manual or all other trims in automatic. It was very frustrating.
If the choice is between automatic windows, dual climate control, heated seats, etc or a manual, you'd be a fool to choose the manual no matter how much you prefer it over an automatic. Then of course, the "sales data" feeds back to the manufacturer and everyone keeps buying into the notion that no one wants manuals.
Exactly this. Plus dealers don't ever stock any, either, so you have to special order as well. I'd be fine special ordering, but seems most people are not willing to wait.
I'm a diehard manual enthusiast, but nearly all of the few remaining models out there that even offer a manual transmission only offer it on the base stripped-down model. They seem to think that the manual is the "frugal jerk" option, and only offer it in the trim levels that hardly anyone even buys in the first place regardless of transmission.
My current car is a 2004 BMW 330 with a 6-speed manual, but it also has all the options. Leather, power everything, adaptive xenon lights, moonroof, heated seats, etc., etc.
Every time I get the urge to buy a new car I'd have to give up most of those nice features to get a manual transmission because you can't option it with the fully loaded packages or engine/drivetrain combos.
BMW, for the moment, continues to be the exception by offering manuals in nearly all configurations of the 2/3/4 series, but man the prices on them these days has really gotten up there, plus all the new turbo and electronic stuff likely isn't going to hold up as well as the old N/A straight sixes.
I recently purchased a Fiesta ST, which (along with the Focus ST) bucks this trend. The Fiesta is a cheap car, but the highest trim package, ST, is exclusively available as a manual and adds 70 HP. The Focus ST is the same, with an even bigger HP bump.
Hopefully somebody else decides to compete with Ford for the budget enthusiast market, and we get a bunch of fun manuals :)
I haven't driven the new Focus/Fiesta ST/RS, but I test drove the previous gen manual Mustang GT. Ford took all of the feel and feedback out of the gearbox, clutch, and steering of that car. I think that they were trying to hit a broader demographic by making things feel smooth and approachable, but I hated it.
Did you do the driving class, Octane Academy? It's not well publicized, but the ST comes with a free driving class in Utah (you pay for travel and accommodations), but it's only valid within a year of buying it.
If the choice is between automatic windows, dual climate control, heated seats, etc or a manual, you'd be a fool to choose the manual no matter how much you prefer it over an automatic. Then of course, the "sales data" feeds back to the manufacturer and everyone keeps buying into the notion that no one wants manuals.