The Disappearing Act of Manual Transmissions

In 2021, a mere 1 percent of new vehicles sold in the U.S. featured a manual transmission, according to The New York Times. Many American drivers have never needed to learn how to operate a stick shift. As the popularity of manual cars declined, the market saw a surge in SUVs, crossovers, and high-end trucks. This stands in sharp contrast to Europe and Asia, where compact manual hatchbacks dominate the roads, accounting for roughly 80 percent of vehicles. However, even in these regions, the trend is shifting.

What’s driving this change? Let’s start with the U.S. There’s a distinctly American preference for larger, more comfortable vehicles. Globally, most prewar cars were equipped with manual gearboxes. However, by the 1950s, following World War II, automatic transmissions became a luxury feature in many American models. Drivers opted for this convenience to avoid the hassle of shifting gears during their daily commutes, and the added expense was often manageable. By 1957, automatics had already captured 80 percent of the U.S. car market.

During this period, American vehicles grew significantly larger compared to their European and Japanese counterparts, a trend that persisted until the 1970s oil crisis. In Europe, smaller manual cars remained popular due to their fuel efficiency and lower production costs. These affordable vehicles were essential in regions recovering from the devastation of war. In contrast, the U.S., rich in oil and insulated from the war's economic impact, had little need for frugality. Americans, both then and now, tend to have longer car commutes, while Europeans prefer shorter drives and greater reliance on public transportation. This further explains why Americans embraced the convenience of automatic transmissions.

Manual transmissions managed to retain a presence in the sports car market. Many of these vehicles, from brands like Porsche, Ferrari, and Datsun, were imported and often lacked automatic options. When automatics were available, they delivered inferior performance and driving dynamics. These cars reinforced the idea among Americans that mastering a manual gearbox was a hallmark of a true car enthusiast, even though it was a basic skill for drivers in many other parts of the world.

Why Sports Cars Gave Up Manual Transmissions

Today, even sports cars are abandoning manual transmissions. Modern automatic gearboxes, whether torque converter or dual-clutch, now rival or exceed the performance of traditional stick shifts. Globally, Ferrari no longer offers manuals, Lamborghini has phased them out, and the Corvette recently discontinued its manual option. A few years ago, Toyota launched its highly anticipated sports car, the Supra, also without a manual transmission.

Ford, until recently, provided manual-only performance models like the Focus RS, Fiesta ST, and Mustang GT350. However, these models have all been discontinued in the past few years. Even compact cars worldwide are increasingly offering automatic options, as technologies like continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) and dual-clutch systems now match the efficiency of manual gearboxes.

"Our automatic transmissions, particularly the 8HP planetary and dual-clutch systems, have reached a level of efficiency and speed that surpasses even our manual transmissions, even in sports cars. In terms of performance, automatics now outperform manuals," says Tony Sapienza, North America communications head for ZF, a global transmission supplier. "While some U.S. enthusiasts claim to prefer the 'engagement' of manual gearboxes, sales data indicates this group is small and dwindling."

Even in Europe, automatics are gaining ground. For example, Ford Motor Company noted that automatics made up just 10 percent of its European sales in 2017, but by 2020, that figure rose to 31 percent. The increase is partly due to features like cruise control and parking assist, which don’t work with manual transmissions. USA Today highlighted that in the U.K., automatics outsold manuals for the first time in 2020, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Advances like dual-clutch systems and CVTs, which use computerized gear shifting, have made automatics more fuel-efficient.

Where to Satisfy Your Manual Jonesing

A handful of automakers, including Porsche and Honda, continue to produce new manual transmission vehicles. "Driving enjoyment is a core value for all Honda models. For certain drivers, a manual gearbox is essential. I’m pleased to confirm that not only do the latest Si and Type R models come with a manual option, but the upcoming 2022 Civic Hatchback will also offer a manual transmission," states Chris Naughton, Honda & Acura Public Relations (Eastern U.S.). While he couldn’t provide details on future Type R models, he noted that all past versions have been exclusively manual.

Porsche is also thriving in the manual transmission market. "In the U.S., over 20 percent of our sports car buyers (718 and 911 models) choose a manual when given the option," explains Frank Wiesmann, Product Communications Manager at Porsche Cars North America, Inc. "For the previous generation 911 GT3 (2018/2019), that number rose to nearly 70 percent, and it currently stands at around 50 percent for the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder. We intend to keep offering manual transmissions as long as regulations permit and customer demand persists."

As manual transmission options become scarcer, a niche group of enthusiasts has driven up the prices of used manual cars significantly. For example, Ferraris from the 2000s, which were among the last manual models, can sell for nearly twice the price of a similar automatic model. Some specialty shops have even started converting automatic cars to manual to meet demand and capitalize on the trend. With the supply of three-pedal cars shrinking, their popularity has skyrocketed, turning them into high-value collector items.