Blame the fascist CAFE standards for all of that. Trying to get these vehicles to meet the standards means absurd things like 8-10 speed transmissions and complex computer control with huge reliability issues. Another gift from the rats.
Nothing wrong with a 10 spd xmission.
Though I like my 6 speed manuals better.
You want a 2 spd like the 50s/60s?
Have 1976 1 ton 4 speed granny low dually Chevy truck.
Put over 250,000 miles on it & changed tranny one time-—Cost $600...R & R.
Not great mileage, but pulls horse trailer where ever I want to go with STUMP PULLER GRANNY LOW.