Norway is the same as the UK and the Netherlands. I think the main reason is the peculiarities of our import taxes, which causes a substantial increase in the price difference between automatic and manual transmission.

Having driven stick shifts for almost 20 years I do agree with Haertig: Driving outside city traffic is much more fun with a stick shift. Also, when the road is slippery I like to have the option of disconnecting the engine with an automated, gross motor movement: If you need all your grip for steering, you step on the clutch (an automated movement since you do it all the time when driving). Putting the automatic gear in "Neutral" is a) not automated, b) requires that you remove one hand from the steering wheel. Your car has just turned into a skidding 1.5 ton monster, you do NOT want to take your hands off the steering wheel...


That being said, driving stick shift with a stiff, painful knee is not fun. Been there, done that.