Automatics to exceed manuals worldwide in 2007
Here in North America, you have to look really hard for a manual transmission in anything other than a sports car or econobox. We love our automatic trannys here, mostly because they're easy to operate and they tend to work better in traffic than a manual. Heck, an awful lot of people under age 40 don't even know how to drive a stick. In 2007, worldwide automatics will finally out-number manual transmissions. It has been that way here in North America and Japan for a very long time, but now in countries like China and India more and more drivers can afford an auto trans. Traffic is also more congested in those countries too, with more cars on the road.
In Europe, manual-shift automatics are aiding the transition away from manuals. They're sure to become more popular here in the US as well, which will cut down the amount of sticks in sports cars. The proliferation of CVTs, which get lower HP vehicles off the line a bit quicker than the standard automatic are helping the transition also. The writing was on the wall the minute you could get exotic European sports cars with paddle shifters.
[Source: Just Auto]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Nick 8:04AM (2/12/2007)
Mein leiben! Der fershtunkener Amerikaners are too lazy to shift and drink their Starbucks at the same time. Achtung!
Reply
Wilhem 8:27AM (2/12/2007)
Fahrfegneugen! Liederhosen! Der Nicken (#1) is der sausagefesten weinerschnietzel. Taken der long walkenheimer off der shorten bridge. Schnell!
Reply
akintz 8:29AM (2/12/2007)
I think it's a sad trend... though I can understand it in major cities and with a lot of traffic. But when I bought my car almost 2 yrs ago, a manual transmission was the first thing on my list. I wouldn't even look at any auto or auto-stick-type of vehicles.
Reply
lazy bum 8:44AM (2/12/2007)
I'm a Swede and I drive a manual by choice, not because I'm cheap.
Also, I agree with comment #1! ;)
Reply
White Goodman 8:52AM (2/12/2007)
I think the more important question is: Who cares?
Reply
Stphane Dumas 9:21AM (2/12/2007)
with the increasing popularity of automatic transmissions, could we see the return of the push-button transmission who was offered at Chrysler from 1956 to 1964? ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD4Zpq7L6sY
Reply
Michael Karesh 9:30AM (2/12/2007)
Is VW's DSG considered a manual or an automatic?
Moving off-topic, notice the location of the window and mirror switches in the new Pontiac G8. I sat in the car, and they're actually easy to reach there:
http://www.truedelta.com/blog/?p=36
But I still suspect people will complain about the location.
Reply
Mike 9:35AM (2/12/2007)
People buy what they want. It's got nothing to do with whether or not YOU think a manual or automatic transmission is better.
Reply
Phelix 9:44AM (2/12/2007)
I care. Manual transmissions are half the fun of driving to me. If people aren't buying them, they'll fade away. Of course, people don't really drive for fun anymore either. The more people see their cars as appliances, the more autos we'll see. Bummer.
Reply
bmw122487 5:11PM (2/12/2007)
My 3 series is a stick and after about six months of heavy traffic driving it doesn't bother in the slightest anymore. In fact i love the amount of countrol a stick gives the driver. I am now convinved at only 19 that every one of my cars from now on should be a stick. I think driving should involve skill and i would be very sad it manual transmissions eventually fade out!!!
Reply
S K 9:47AM (2/12/2007)
It is really ironic that in America where traffic density is among lowest in the world people prefer automatic transmissions over manual. It is a lot of fun to drive a manual trans in light traffic and on american highways you hardly need to change gears.
Automatics are inherently more suited to Asian countries because of very high traffic density and mostly stop and go traffic situations. Moreover traffic is of heterogenous nature unlike the US where you find only cars/pickups on the roads.
Unfortunately automatics cost more to own and give lower fuel economy (which is critical in Asia due to high fuel prices/lower incomes). To get the same accelration out of a automatic you need a bigger engine which further lowers fuel economy. However VWs DSG seems to be a perfect fit for Asian countries or any place on the earth with high traffic. The DSG is supposed to give better fuel economy and acceleration as compared to a manual !
And you can go from fully automatic to changing gears with your fingertips. I believe that it will be seen in many more cars in the future.
Reply
ohmy 4:30PM (2/12/2007)
thanks Mike for stating the obvious, pat yourself on the back for that one...
Reply
judd 10:00AM (2/12/2007)
I own both manual and DSG and I will have no regret if it all goes to a DSG type transmission. With cars going to even more gears, you bet it's going to have to go that way. Good luck finding the right gear on an 8 speed manual transmission!
Reply
Tim UF 10:11AM (2/12/2007)
S K :
go spend some time in the rush hour gridlock in miami, LA, Atlanta, Houston, or any of the other metroplis's here in the states. We might not have traffic density through out the country (Montana, Wyoming, Dakotas) but there are places where i would get weary of driving a manual... like stop-n-go on I-5 in LA... or stop n go on the florida turnpike and I-95 leaving miami at about 4pm on a weekday.
Reply
Ben 4:49PM (2/12/2007)
Chris Shunk you don't know nothing about cars.
1.in the US more people buy manual now then ever.BMW make special cars for the american market with manual box.
2.in europe people start buying manual cars with floppy paddle gear box becouse they shift faster but in your report it shows they buy automatic.
3.if some Old couple in europe buys manual-shift automatics they change gears manualy.
4.check every report you can find.in cities with heavy traffic more people buy manual.you think it's harder becouse as i was saying"you know nothing..."
and just if you want to know.people buy manual becouse they want to be in the right gear all the time and auto box suckes.
Reply
Tio 5:42PM (2/12/2007)
I live in St.Louis. It can take me 2 hours to go 15 miles on my expressway drive to work. I drive a stick. I have no problem driving it. Traffic excuses are just that. It would seem people would rather be talking on the telephone, drinking coffee or using there blackberry than driving. Sad.
Reply
G.D.G 11:53AM (2/12/2007)
I have been shopping over the last several weeks for a left over new 2006 or late model used 1/2 ton pickup and I was very surprised how few manual transmissions are available. Most if they have them are only on the smallest V6 engine. Dodge is the only one that has a manual for a V8, which is what I ended up purchasing. The new 2007 Chevy and Toyota 1/2 pickups do not even offer it as an option. To quote Dr. Seuss "What a shame, what a shame, What--A--Shame!".
Reply
Pelotudo 10:51AM (2/12/2007)
IN response to Nick (comment 1) I am an American who has the rare talent to a) drive my A4 5-speed and b) drink my Starbucks (short Drip) and deal with ridiculous morning traffic here in NYC. Every single car that I have ever owned has been manual transmission and will continue to be so. It stinks that the new G35 is NOT a manual AWD - you need AWD in NYC in winter!.
Tschüss,
Martin
Reply
DC 10:31AM (2/12/2007)
I'm sure Automated Manuals like the ZeroShift will quickly grab a huge chunk of the market, for good reason.
Reply
combatc87 12:07AM (2/13/2007)
I don't mind that people want to drive auto. I don't mind DSG gaining popularity. I fear, however, that one day I won't be able to purchase a vehicle with a traditional manual gearbox. The world is getting lazy, and it's the smart and skilled that have to suffer.
Reply