The Decline of the Manual... But a Glimmer of Hope?
 

Very telling article on the quantity of manual transmissions out there.
The decline of manual transmissions in two graphs — and proof they're coming back

Particularly in this graph:
https://s2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/e...eenshot_81.jpg

In 2011, a mere 311,618 manuals were produced. :(

The good news? By model year 2013, it was up to 452,232

I'm always interested in statistics and charts. Thanks for sharing.

I consider myself lucky to have one of the rare 6-speeds found in less than 6% of the TSXs sold... if only they would make the 6th gear tall like they made in the 5-speed automatic.

Interesting that there were still 3-speed manuals available into what looks like the 90's...I wonder what trucks had that option?

If I can swap a transaxle out of the 5th gen FWD corolla into my car, I'll have a 5th gear tall enough for me to do 2900 RPM at 75 MPH with 185/65/R15s. Manuals are going to die around the same time human driven cars do.

40 years ago the '76 models were THE LAST CONVERTIBLES.

Oops. :rolleyes:

Interesting..... and I was reading an article how Dodge made a mistake offering the dart with a manual and how they only sold 6 units. :eek:

I taught my 16 and 14 year old nephews how to drive a manual in a school parking lot a couple years ago.

Later I asked them if they'd rather have an auto or manual and they both said auto, even though neither so much as stalled the car.

Interestingly enough, my nieces are now 16 and 14, maybe they'll take over since women are taking over.

Manuals don't stand a chance with young drivers now that smartphones are here. Playing with the phone is much more important than actually having to drive the car.

Yeah, that's interesting. Ancient technology along with the 3-speed automatic slushers that the Metro/Suzukiclones had right up to 2001. Shame on them!

I'm doing the same with my 16 year old nephew now. I'm not sure which transmission he likes more just yet. He seems to enjoy the challenge (he loves driving in general), but afterward he said very seriously: "I didn't realize how much more there was to think about to drive a standard."