September 12, 201412 yr Manual transmissions getting rarer in the US | Fox News Only around 10 percent of vehicles made in North America now have manual transmissions, down from 35 percent in 1980. And that number is expected to keep shrinking, according to the consulting firm IHS Automotive. Improvements in the function and fuel economy of automatic transmissions have essentially killed the manual in the U.S., says Jack Nerad, the senior editor of Kelley Blue Book. Some of the country's best-selling sedans — the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion — don't even offer manual transmissions because so few buyers want them. Even some sporty cars, like the Jaguar F Type, come only with automatics. Two years ago, Chrysler was burned when it assumed there would be higher demand for manual transmissions in its Dodge Dart compact car. The car sold slowly. This year, when Fiat Chrysler's Alfa Romeo 4C sports car arrives in the U.S., it won't offer a manual transmission.
September 12, 201412 yr I have always thought a good suggestionn to improve the number of bad drivers on the road is to outlaw manual transmissions.
September 12, 201412 yr My current truck is the first automatic transmission I have owned in over 20 years and I only have it because I could not find a truck I wanted with a manual transmission. I hate that, come on, make me some manual transmission trucks.
September 12, 201412 yr Manual transmissions getting rarer in the US | Fox News Only around 10 percent of vehicles made in North America now have manual transmissions, down from 35 percent in 1980. And that number is expected to keep shrinking, according to the consulting firm IHS Automotive. Improvements in the function and fuel economy of automatic transmissions have essentially killed the manual in the U.S., says Jack Nerad, the senior editor of Kelley Blue Book. Some of the country's best-selling sedans — the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion — don't even offer manual transmissions because so few buyers want them. Even some sporty cars, like the Jaguar F Type, come only with automatics. Two years ago, Chrysler was burned when it assumed there would be higher demand for manual transmissions in its Dodge Dart compact car. The car sold slowly. This year, when Fiat Chrysler's Alfa Romeo 4C sports car arrives in the U.S., it won't offer a manual transmission. That has nothing to do with the transmission and every thing to do with it being a Dodge Dart.
September 12, 201412 yr ...... Shifting gears would make texting and driving a lot harder. Driving used to require two hands, now people do it with two knees while texting and holding a Starbucks. Reminds me of a sign I saw outside a church (and I have a picture of here at work): Honk if you Love Jesus, Text and Drive if you want to see him.
September 12, 201412 yr My first 2 trucks were ford rangers with manual trans. The second was an extended cab 4x4, loved that truck. I really like to drive a manual trans but it gets old as an every day vehicle.
September 12, 201412 yr I have always thought a good suggestionn to improve the number of bad drivers on the road is to outlaw manual transmissions. I think it's 100% the opposite. It's my opinion that those who drive a manual transmission are more apt to be in control of their vehicle because of the need for them to control the transmission.
September 12, 201412 yr Author I love driving a manual. I wish I knew someone with one so I could teach my daughter how to drive it. Everyone should know how to operate a stick shift.
September 12, 201412 yr To my knowledge I was the only person at my high school with a manual transmission. Everyone thought it was so cool. I am happy I know how to drive one as it was a requirement growing up working where I did. I also drove some bigger trucks that would require splitting the axle and even had the privilege of operating a "three-on-a-tree." I grew to hate it though. It was not bad being in small town Kentucky, but anytime I traveled elsewhere it sucked. It got so old shifting gears especially in a city.
September 12, 201412 yr I think it's 100% the opposite. It's my opinion that those who drive a manual transmission are more apt to be in control of their vehicle because of the need for them to control the transmission. I agree, I mistyped that. It should have said automatic transmissions.
September 12, 201412 yr I drive a stick and I like driving it except when I'm trying to eat, text and drive. Good thing I don't smoke. My second car was a 1983 Datsun 280zx that my dad got me. He didn't know how to drive a stick so he basically said figure it out. I'm sure many of you know the terror of getting stuck on an incline at a stop light when you're learning how a clutch works. After 20 or 30 tries I got the hang of it.
September 12, 201412 yr My first car was a stick, and since I got rid of it in 1996, I haven't driven a stick since. I'm not sure sure I even could drive a manual transmission vehicle. While I liked driving it, when I moved into the city of Philadelphia, driving it in city traffic got old really quick. If I lived in a rural area, and didn't travel much to the city, I wouldn't mind driving a stick. But I drive 20k city miles a year in traffic, and no ay in heck would I want a manual transmission car as a primary vehicle.
September 12, 201412 yr I love driving a manual. I wish I knew someone with one so I could teach my daughter how to drive it. Everyone should know how to operate a stick shift. Send her on over...have 3 of them sitting in my driveway...all i drive and have for many years and have tought others as well.
September 12, 201412 yr Almost 59 years old and I've never owned a vehicle with a manual transmission. In fact, only had to drive one twice. When I was 20 or 21, my best friend had surgery and wasn't allowed to drive for a couple of weeks. I drove him to a hospital in central Baltimore twice for his checkups. Baptism by fire.
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