Will Ford get smart and offer a manual transmission?
I am not a F150 buyer so Ford should not treat me like one.

 

Manuals do everything terrible these days, and the majority of America does not want them. Automatics provide better mileage, better towing capacities, better control, etc. You'll be lucky to get a manual, and if you do, it will only be on the smallest engine (if Ford adds more engine options to the new Ranger).

That's why I keep my 2003 Ranger, and my 1990 F350. They're both manual and that's what I prefer.

 

Yes, automatics do better with auto stop/start(emission requirement), traction control, automatic braking(emergency stopping)
Ford could add automatic clutch control but then not really a manual is it, lol

The T6 Ranger(international) still comes with Fords MT82 6-speed manual(only the Duratorq TDCi diesel) or M5OD 5-speed(only the 2.5l duratec)

Manual trans is way more reliable, but......................majority of buyers keep a new vehicle for maybe 5-6 years(or 100k miles) then trade it in, so reliability of the transmission doesn't really come into play
So for us DIYers the pickings are getting slim for used vehicles with manuals simply because new buyers don't want them

There are sport car type vehicles that buyers insist on manual transmissions, but pickup trucks aren't that, lol

 

It still baffles me why no options in drive train on the new Ranger. The Bronco will have an option
for the 2.3L4 Eco with 6 speed manual or auto, or the 2.7V6 Eco with auto. I think the manual is only available on select models
and has a crawler gear. Something like overall ration of 95:1, which comes out to 1 MPH per 1,000 RPM. If Ranger had options
maybe they would sell better.
This guy explains it well:

 

I don't see it coming unless the market demands for it but Americans want automatic that's why they offer mostly automatic, plus it is more efficient in fuel savings.