No disrespect to anyone, but I don't think many people who advocate auto-fold as a practical necessity have driven by bike or auto in other countries. I've been on-passenger/driven a scooter, motorcycle and auto in Europe and having auto-fold mirrors on autos saves motorcyclists' lives! I've been clipped by non-folded (doesn't mean non-folding) mirrors on the cheap economy cars and have seen people close their "auto" and "manual" mirrors just so that we could split lanes through traffic.
It's all relative but ever park in Paris, Madrid or Barcelona? Here's the key. You can't unless you have folding mirrors and sometimes, a rear exit strategy, especially in their version of a multi-level underground parking garage. It's truly laughable at times :lol:. Did you also know that parallel parking on the streets in Madrid is sometimes 5 cars wide during siestas? "Suicide circles" a.k.a. plazas (e.g. Arco De Triomphe, Puerta Del Sol, etc.) are truly suicidal for us visiting "foreigners" trying to drive there. This was just prior to the 1992 Olympics and on a recent trip back there in 1999 I saw 10x more vehicles and more, larger "imports" than ever. We are really spoiled in the US if one truly thinks that "auto" folding mirrors are a practical necessity. If it's offered, it's because of cross-market sharing just like why my European uber vehicles ALWAYS have manual or auto rain-sensing headlight washers which I never use (more for autobahn safety in mud/rain). It costs more for the manufacturer to remove this feature than charge Americans for an option that's standard in other countries.
In conclusion, city-driving in the USA is not like some major European countries (maybe New York). Everyone drives pretty well
and are aware of their surroundings. Every car gets door dings, dents and scratches daily. A bumper is truly, truly used as a bumper. I would dislike owning a nice daily driver in some of these places. As I said, in other countries, folding mirrors are there for greater reasons (plus minor advantage of mirror saving) and the "auto" version (on larger, luxury vehicles) wasn't designed for the sole purpose of mirror protection. One has a much higher chance of getting door dings and scratches than damage to the mirrors. Just my thoughts.............................