Does anyone know about the fate of manual transmission?

Question

I drive manual transmission, and I absolutely love it, but it seems to me that those kinds of cars are getting harder and harder to find. Everyone only wants to make automatic nowadays. But I don't like the way automatic cars shift. Does anyone know why there is a feasible reason other than user laziness why car companies don't make as many of these kinds of vehicles?

Answer 1

There are plenty of reasons.

1.  Better fuel mileage.  The latest technology in automatic transmissions make them capable of delivering better gas mileage than can a stick shift transmission.

2.  Options such as traction control and stability control rely on these modern transmissions, so the car can control and modulate power output to the drive wheels to make these systems work as they should.

3.  Better engine and drivetrain protection.  Manufacturers are offering better and longer warranties all the time, but a manual transmission leaves them open to paying for repairs that are really the users fault.  Kids these days like to buy stick shift cars so they can post their stupid burnout videos on Youtube; others think they're Fast and Furious street racers and, after redlining 3rd, accidentally downshift to 2nd instead of hitting 4th.  Once they've damaged the transmission or the engine (or both), it's off to the dealership for a warranty repair.

4.  Lower maintenance.  New car owners never need to worry about replacing the clutch, throwout bearing, shifter bushings, adjusting the so-called self-adjusting clutch cable, and replacing worn synchros.  These modern transmissions are practically maintenance-free.

5.  Safety.  People who don't know how to drive stick shift, but are insistent on learning, tend to learn on public roads, where they roll back on hills, and stall out in intersections.  They miss shifts when accelerating onto on-ramps or when passing on highways.  People really ought to learn stick shift on a closed track; but they don't.  In these days where a person can sue McDonalds for a hot coffee they spilled on themselves, I'm not surprised automobile manufacturers want to distance themselves from any potential litigation.

6.  Manufacturing costs.  It's less expensive to offer a single common transmission than it is to offer two or more choices.

7.  It's progress, really.  We don't hand-crank our cars to start them up anymore.  I'm sure some people were saddened when we did away with the hand crank; it's the same with the manual transmissions.

Still, I don't see the manual stick shift going away entirely.  I think it will find a niche market for enthusiasts, and at least one manufacturer will continue to supply them.

Answer 2

more parts to wear out.  clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, linkage rods, pilot bearing.  there are others but id say mostly its user laziness.

Answer 3

I love manuals too. But 95% of americans are just lazy and dont want to move there left foot

Answer 4

In order  to guarantee the emissions and to met fleet MPG requirements the auto industry is avoiding the use of manuals.

This is because operator variables can decrease MPG's and increase emissions.

Thank the government!

Answer 5

A lot of the automatics are much faster than the standards. I drove sticks for many years and loved them, but they have really improved the automatic.

Answer 6

From an Assembly line stand point, it's faster and more cost effective for the auto makers to install automatics. Also most insurance companies will give cheaper rates if your car is an automatic. They do this because automatics are less likely to roll back in to other cars while on a hill (This happened to my cousin the other day, some inexperienced driver rolled back in to him), they are often more maintenance free then the manuals. There is also design considerations for the center console. Putting the shifter on the column frees up space in the center for other accessories.

Answer 7

You hit it on the head "user laziness".  Car makers prefer to make what the public asks for (sometimes) to keep the cars attractive.  If putting a manual transmission in car makes it sit on the lot an extra month or two, it looses money.

Rest assured the manual will never die.  It is still the most efficient transmission for small cars.  Which is pretty important in the era of $4 plus gas prices.

Answer 8

It depends on where you are.  Here in the US, it's the dealers that are 95% of the problem.  Their plan is to have only automatics in stock.  They have been that way for 40 years.  If you come in looking for a manual, they plan to "convince" you to buy an automatic.  They can't sell manuals the other way round.  You can't convince an automatic buyer to buy a manual.

Many U.S. dealers have traditionally put up a LOT of resistance to people trying to special order a manual.

Answer 9

Rental fleets - Many manufacturers divert production to rental fleets to smooth demand. No rental car company in America will buy a manual transmission car.

Answer 10

You must live in America, i assume? I know most cars there are automatics. Here in the UK, most cars are still manual.

There are several reasons:-

1) Manuals are cheaper to buy, whereas automatics are more expensive

2) If you pass your driving test in an automatic then you can only drive automatic cars. Most driving instructors have manuals because passing your test in one allows you to drive both manuals and automatics.

Manuals are just more practical, and I like the extra control it gives you.

I suspect the reason automatics are so common there is because it justifies them charging slightly higher prices for the car. Or maybe there is just greater demaned there for automatics from consumers.

Answer 11

possibly drivers who lack confidence... automatic licences... laziness.... the manual gear box will never be replaced as it has better performance than a automatic. but in my opinion with the rising number of cars using flappy paddle gear boxes a comprimise will be used and sequential gear boxes will be used more.

Hope this helps!