In my country, only disabled drivers are allowed to have their driving test in a vehicle fitted with automatic transmission, even though I still see many paraplegics and leg amputees who still drive cars with manual transmission. Sure a tight budget is the main reason toward shifting their own gears, but the lack of qualified technical assistance for automatic transmissions is another matter of concern back here.
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Originally Posted by hamsterpower
I recently read an article that argued that manuals would be extinct in 5(or was it 10) years. I was very disappointed at first, as I much prefer manual shifting. But then I realized I will not be buying a new manual shifting car in my life. Not because I'm old, but because when I reluctantly buy my next car it will certainly be one speed electric powered. So now I say let the manual die, let the ICE be the option for those road warriors that insist on it. I'll take electric please.
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Not sure about electrics becoming mainstream in such a short term, but the overwhelming majority of hybrids don't even have a traditional transmission at all. Considering the incentives for hybrids in Japan and Europe, and the used car exports from those markets to third-world countries in Africa and Latin America, it doesn't really surprise me to see manuals becoming relegated to a handful of grand-tourers and the lowest-end penalty boxes. Even in my homeland Brazil, which usually follows highly conservative standpoints when it comes to engine and transmission options, I see manuals slowly decaying.