I learned to tow and back up with a little 4x8 flat bed that had 10" wheels. It was probably the hardest to back up due to its size and small tires, but it made anything I towed later easy in comparison. Although I have no doubt this makes handling backup duty easier for the inexperienced, I feel it adds cost and complexity to vehicles where a little practice would accomplish the same.
The comment about the automatic transmission is similar, but today you cannot get a manual with the capacity ratings offered in the automatic - My tow vehicles have conceded the clutch pedal for more capacity. I still have two other manual clutch vehicles and see no reason why everything should go automatic.