The Manual Gearbox accounts for 1.7% of car sales in the USA

RahulNagaraj · 28th September 2023, 12:55

According to reports, cars with manual transmissions are slowly witnessing a renewed interest in the US market. The sales of manual transmission cars had dipped below 1% of all auto sales in the USA in 2021. However, the percentage grew to 1.2% in 2022 and has further increased to 1.7% in 2023.

Reports state that the renewed interest in manual transmissions can be attributed towards their engaging driving experience. There are also other reports that indicate that parents prefer manual transmission cars for their teenagers as it prevents them from using their phones while driving. Another report also mentions that car buyers who are in their twenties are the ones most commonly opting for manual gearboxes.

The Manual Gearbox accounts for 1.7% of car sales in the USA-manualgearbox.jpg

The slow shift back to manual gearboxes can also be attributed to the EV transition. Since EVs essentially eliminate the need for a manual gearbox, many people are seeking them out now, before they are completely gone.

Having said that, carmakers are working on keeping manual gearboxes alive. Companies like Toyota have announced that they will keep offering manual gearboxes as an option across many of their models, including the upcoming Tacoma. The Japanese carmaker recently introduced a 6-speed manual transmission on its GR Supra.

Carmakers are also working on offering manual gearbox tech for its EVs in the near future.

Source: Jalopnik

Link to Team-BHP news

sumeethaldankar · 28th September 2023, 13:34

In the USA having a manual gear box is an anti-theft deterrant since most drivers do not learn to drive on manuals but on auto's so many times thieves do not target manuals but opt for auto ones. Possibly one of the reason too which could be a factor in buying a manual tranny.

Jeroen · 28th September 2023, 15:29

The USA is very different from most countries as it does not differentiate driving licenses between manual and automatics.

Most countries have the rule that if you have a license for a manual car you can also drive an automatic. But not vice versa!

Jeroen

ExplorerXIII · 28th September 2023, 16:21

Quote:

Carmakers are also working on offering manual gearbox tech for its EVs in the near future.

Why does an EV need any gearbox, it against laws of physics since electrical motors torque can controlled continuously.

raptor_diwan · 28th September 2023, 16:51

In India, people are increasingly transitioning towards automatic processes, while in other countries, the trend is moving in the opposite direction. They should conduct a report in India to assess the shift from manual to automatic users. I believe this shift could account for more than 30%.

DicKy · 28th September 2023, 18:11

Ofcourse. If one is sure that the future is electric and one loves dinosaur juice burning vehicles, then it will be a case of 'enjoy before it is gone'. Mind boggling acceleration aside, I am sure many would hold onto ICE vehicles before it becomes cost prohibitive or even impossible (banned). A side effect of that is the manual gearbox preference. Go all the way for the mechanically 'connected' feel before all cars become 'connected'. Being a predominantly automatic nation might have given the manual gearbox an exotic status.

Also there are/were many models (mostly BMWs) that offered manual gearboxes only in the USA and nowhere else.

amitoj · 29th September 2023, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by DicKy

Ofcourse. If one is sure that the future is electric and one loves dinosaur juice burning vehicles, then it will be a case of 'enjoy before it is gone'. Mind boggling acceleration aside, I am sure many would hold onto ICE vehicles before it becomes cost prohibitive or even impossible (banned). A side effect of that is the manual gearbox preference. Go all the way for the mechanically 'connected' feel before all cars become 'connected'. Being a predominantly automatic nation might have given the manual gearbox an exotic status.

Exactly the reason I chose WRX STI. Manual transmission with hydraulic power steering. None of that computer mumbo-jumbo

And it still seems to be holdings its value well when I check used prices.

I am glad that more Americans are discovering the joy of rowing their own gears. It is also a very good way to prevent your teenager from driving with a cellphone in one hand.

Toni · 29th September 2023, 15:11

A car should be a part of the body when you drive. The manual transmission keeps you engaged and connected with the car giving the real driving pleasure. Also it's a good idea to prevent the driving person from using mobile phone while driving.

Good decision.

invidious · 29th September 2023, 17:01

American highways outside of the big congested cities are ideal for manual gearboxes. But it's still a miniscule population which will keep it alive.

28th September 2023, 12:55	#1
RahulNagaraj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,306 Thanked: 22,160 Times	The Manual Gearbox accounts for 1.7% of car sales in the USA According to reports, cars with manual transmissions are slowly witnessing a renewed interest in the US market. The sales of manual transmission cars had dipped below 1% of all auto sales in the USA in 2021. However, the percentage grew to 1.2% in 2022 and has further increased to 1.7% in 2023. Reports state that the renewed interest in manual transmissions can be attributed towards their engaging driving experience. There are also other reports that indicate that parents prefer manual transmission cars for their teenagers as it prevents them from using their phones while driving. Another report also mentions that car buyers who are in their twenties are the ones most commonly opting for manual gearboxes. The slow shift back to manual gearboxes can also be attributed to the EV transition. Since EVs essentially eliminate the need for a manual gearbox, many people are seeking them out now, before they are completely gone. Having said that, carmakers are working on keeping manual gearboxes alive. Companies like Toyota have announced that they will keep offering manual gearboxes as an option across many of their models, including the upcoming Tacoma. The Japanese carmaker recently introduced a 6-speed manual transmission on its GR Supra. Carmakers are also working on offering manual gearbox tech for its EVs in the near future. Source: Jalopnik Link to Team-BHP news
	(18) Thanks

28th September 2023, 13:34	#2
sumeethaldankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,956 Thanked: 3,353 Times View My Garage	Re: The Manual Gearbox accounts for 1.7% of car sales in the USA In the USA having a manual gear box is an anti-theft deterrant since most drivers do not learn to drive on manuals but on auto's so many times thieves do not target manuals but opt for auto ones. Possibly one of the reason too which could be a factor in buying a manual tranny.
	(16) Thanks

28th September 2023, 15:29	#3
Jeroen Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Delhi Posts: 8,377 Thanked: 53,996 Times View My Garage	Re: The Manual Gearbox accounts for 1.7% of car sales in the USA The USA is very different from most countries as it does not differentiate driving licenses between manual and automatics. Most countries have the rule that if you have a license for a manual car you can also drive an automatic. But not vice versa! Jeroen
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28th September 2023, 16:51	#5
raptor_diwan BHPian Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: MAS Posts: 831 Thanked: 3,802 Times	Re: The Manual Gearbox accounts for 1.7% of car sales in the USA In India, people are increasingly transitioning towards automatic processes, while in other countries, the trend is moving in the opposite direction. They should conduct a report in India to assess the shift from manual to automatic users. I believe this shift could account for more than 30%.
	() Thanks

28th September 2023, 18:11	#6
DicKy Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TVPM Posts: 3,935 Thanked: 12,618 Times	Re: The Manual Gearbox accounts for 1.7% of car sales in the USA Ofcourse. If one is sure that the future is electric and one loves dinosaur juice burning vehicles, then it will be a case of 'enjoy before it is gone'. Mind boggling acceleration aside, I am sure many would hold onto ICE vehicles before it becomes cost prohibitive or even impossible (banned). A side effect of that is the manual gearbox preference. Go all the way for the mechanically 'connected' feel before all cars become 'connected'. Being a predominantly automatic nation might have given the manual gearbox an exotic status. Also there are/were many models (mostly BMWs) that offered manual gearboxes only in the USA and nowhere else.
	(2) Thanks

29th September 2023, 15:11	#8
Toni BHPian Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Kolkata Posts: 109 Thanked: 114 Times	Re: The Manual Gearbox accounts for 1.7% of car sales in the USA A car should be a part of the body when you drive. The manual transmission keeps you engaged and connected with the car giving the real driving pleasure. Also it's a good idea to prevent the driving person from using mobile phone while driving. Good decision.
	(1) Thanks

29th September 2023, 17:01	#9
invidious BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 864 Thanked: 1,293 Times	Re: The Manual Gearbox accounts for 1.7% of car sales in the USA American highways outside of the big congested cities are ideal for manual gearboxes. But it's still a miniscule population which will keep it alive.
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