Industry News: Manual Transmissions Becoming Somewhat Popular Again

[William Maley]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

May 1, 2012

From the Twilight Zone file: USA Today reports that 6.5% of new vehicles sold in the first quarter were equipped with a manual transmission, which is more than double of vehicles sold with them in 2007. It's also the highest amount since 2006 when 7.2% vehicles were sold with manual transmission.

The take rate is more impressive when you take into account that 19% of the 2,360 different models on sale offer a manual.

The increase is attributed to the lower prices of manual transmission vehicles, fun factor, and ease of operation.

The increased interest of manual transmissions by buyers have surprised automakers.

For example, Ford says that 10% of Focus demand is for a manual transmission. Orignally, Ford had planned on 4 to 4.5% demand for a manual.

Source: USA Today

View full article

[ocnblu]

EXCELLENT NEWS! i HOPE IT SPREADS AND GROWS LEAPS AND BOUNDS!

[hyperv6]

I see it as a limited gain I am sad to say.

[SAmadei]

I see it as a limited gain I am sad to say.

Agreed, but it has to exist as an option for it to increase in popularity... unlike alternate body styles, driven wheels, etc., which are commonly argued here as unwanted when they are only limited pickings.

[daves87rs]

Wonder if it will keep going?

[G. David Felt]

This is a liimited gain as you see it was 2007 when it hit it's peak. This is all those people who are needing to replace their old Manual cars (5 years old) with new ones. I expect this to grow this year but cool off next year.

[Robert Hall]

Good news, though I'd like to see manuals offered in more cars...and not just relegated to a base model..they should be available across a range.

[G. David Felt]

I do agree that Manuals have their place and should be offered across a range of models rather than just the base level eco appliance.

[Drew Dowdell]

I wonder if part of it is improved feel of manual transmissions in smaller cars. I used to hate driving Civic or Acura 4-cylinders with manual transmissions, but the Cruze and Sonic 6-speeds are about the nicest to drive manuals I've ever been behind.

[PurdueGuy]

Good to know there will be reasonable numbers available on the used market down the road when we need to buy another one.

[Robert Hall]

I miss driving a car w/ a manual, esp. with a V8. Midlife crisis approaching...

[G. David Felt]

QUESTION?????

Does anyone know or do you think it would be possible to have a Hybrid with Manual Tranny? I do not think I have seen any Hybrid and this could be due to the electric motors running the wheels, but I was just thinking.

Crazy thoughts.

[Drew Dowdell]

The first generation Civic Hybrid was available with a manual transmission. I've driven it. It operated just like a normal car except that the motor shut off when you were sitting with your foot on the brake. As the GM eAssist operates in the same general way as the Honda IMA, it could technically be equipped with a manual transmission as well.

Now, the Prius could not be done with a manual because of the way the transmission blends power from the electric motor and the gasoline engine. The Nissan and Ford hybrids fall into this same camp.

In the GM 2-mode hybrid, the actual hybrid parts are inside the automatic transmission, so if you swap out the automatic in that, then there are no more hybrid parts left.

[G. David Felt]

The first generation Civic Hybrid was available with a manual transmission. I've driven it. It operated just like a normal car except that the motor shut off when you were sitting with your foot on the brake. As the GM eAssist operates in the same general way as the Honda IMA, it could technically be equipped with a manual transmission as well.

Now, the Prius could not be done with a manual because of the way the transmission blends power from the electric motor and the gasoline engine. The Nissan and Ford hybrids fall into this same camp.

In the GM 2-mode hybrid, the actual hybrid parts are inside the automatic transmission, so if you swap out the automatic in that, then there are no more hybrid parts left.

Thanks, that is pretty interesting, I did not know about the GM 2-mode Hybrid. In the prius case, I was wondering if it was due to the blending of the two.

[A Horse With No Name]

Local VW and Mazda dealers say they are seeing a big uptick in manual sales.

Wife and I are thinking of getting a Cruze to replace her aging

Scion, dealer says it's hard to get one in manual.

[Drew Dowdell]

hard because they're popular? The Cruze Eco would be a great car to run around in.

[Z-06]

I miss driving a car w/ a manual, esp. with a V8. Midlife crisis approaching...

V8 + manual..... My midlife crisis has already started

QUESTION?????

Does anyone know or do you think it would be possible to have a Hybrid with Manual Tranny? I do not think I have seen any Hybrid and this could be due to the electric motors running the wheels, but I was just thinking.

Crazy thoughts.

Honda CR-Z

[PurdueGuy]

QUESTION?????

Does anyone know or do you think it would be possible to have a Hybrid with Manual Tranny? I do not think I have seen any Hybrid and this could be due to the electric motors running the wheels, but I was just thinking.

Crazy thoughts.

Honda CR-Z

1st gen Insight too IIRC.

[regfootball]

i have found that searching for a manual cruze, there are very few out there! they must go fast....

[G. David Felt]

WOW, Seems there are 17 Manual 2LT versions of the Cruze in the Seattle market.

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[G. David Felt]

So in checking inventory in the Seattle areas, Here is what we have in Cruze with manual 6 speed.

50 LS Models available in a 15 mile radius

33 1LT Models available in a 15 mile radius

17 2LT Models available in a 15 mile radius

50 ECO Models available in a 15 mile radius.

Guess Seattle got dumped with Manuals.

[PurdueGuy]

I'm seriously thinking about a used Cruze Eco for my wife when she wears out her SC1. It'll probably take a few years. She wants 2 things: good fuel economy, manual trans.