CARS with manual transmission, or stick shift, may soon be a thing of the past as changing gears is becoming less popular – with automakers phasing the feature out.
With the gradual transition to electric cars and the convenience of automatic, as well as other factors, the demand for manual cars has weakened significantly.
Manual transmissions in cars may soon become extinct, as they are mainly desired by driving enthusiasts[/caption]
A preference for automatics and the rise of EVs has seen the manual gearbox take a backseat in recent times[/caption]
Hyundai’s Managing Director of the Europe Technical Center in Germany highlighted the Ioniq 5 N as a prime example of the shift away from fun manual cars[/caption]
According to Motor1, younger generations seem to prefer automatic options, while the cost and complexity of designing cars to accommodate both manual and automatic transmissions is seeing an increase in production costs.
As a result, manufacturers are beginning to struggle to justify their inclusion – given the low take rate for manuals.
According to a recent interview with Car Magazine, Hyundai’s Managing Director of the Europe Technical Center in Germany even said: “Nobody wants manual gearboxes anymore.”
One other factor is efficiency, with modern automatic transmissions seen as more fuel-efficient and able to comply better with emissions regulations, compared to manual counterparts.
And as many modern cars now offer complex driver assistance systems, these are designed to work better with automatics.
Features like electronic handbrakes and fully digital instrument clusters are becoming standard – replacing traditional analog designs and manual controls.
One thing that can’t be explained with mechanics is the general cultural shift around preferences.
Enthusiasts, for example, are the primary group still loyal to manual transmissions, handbrakes and analog gauges.
But automakers naturally prioritize broader market trends, which leans towards convenience, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
In most cases, new cars often come with an electronic handbrake, a fully digital instrument cluster and an automatic gearbox.
Johnson, though, added that motorists shouldn’t mourn the decline of combustion-engine sports cars with manual transmission.
He added that older ones were “miles away – a disappointment” compared to the Ioniq 5 N, as an example.
EVs have evolved in 10 years as much as gas-powered cars have in a century, he said, and he believes fake engine sounds pumped through the speakers are a good substitute for the roar of an internal combustion engine.
He added: “I don’t understand the idea that performance cars are dying.
“If you want to go fast, there’s nothing better than an EV. I don’t understand the nostalgia.”
Back in April, we reported on how Ferrari is considering the return of the manual transmission, according to its chief product development officer.
In an interview with Australian magazine Carsales, the Italian marque’s key player said they may be bringing back the three-pedal setup – although it won’t be a feature on standard production models.
Instead, it will be reserved for Ferrari’s ultra-limited Icona cars.
Ferrari last produced a car with a manual transmission over a decade ago, discontinuing it in 2012 in the name of performance.
However, chief product development officer Gianmaria Fulgenzi hinted that the manual gearbox could make a comeback, saying: “We are reaching the limit of performance in our cars.”
Why aren’t people buying EVs?
In January, many EV makers reported slow demand. Reuters said there are a few valid reasons for a slow in demand:
- High initial costs. Many automakers, like Tesla, Hyundai, and Ford have conducted “price slashes” on their flagship EVs to attract new buyers, though demand remains slow.
- Higher insurance costs. Some insurance companies cite fire risks, high costs of battery replacement, and higher vehicle weight as reasons for higher premiums.
- Charging anxiety. A large percentage of people remain fearful of being in a situation where they won’t be able to charge if they run out of battery due to a lack of infrastructure.
- Range anxiety. In many instances, EVs still don’t have the range and infrastructure of gas-powered vehicles.
- Poor performance in extreme temperatures. Reduced range in extremely hot or cold weather makes potential buyers wary.
Source: Reuters
