We don’t know even what country your son is in but… in the USA less than 3% of cars are sold with a manual transmission. And oddly enough, only 20% in the UK. About 30% or so across Europe. Many buyers don’t even know how to drive a manual even if that was their choice.
I can drive a manual, I’ve had trouble selling my old manual trans cars. I drive an automatic now.
You are correct, Mom, his primary problem is the BMW is a manual.