Americans are changing their mind about manual gearboxes. According to a study made by Edmunds.com during 2012’s first quarter, sales of stick cars have doubled compared to the last five years’ 6.5% average, even though only 19% of models are offered with a choice between standard or automatic transmissions.
But why is the trend changing? Automatic gearboxes are more fuel economic, which in today’s world, is of a big help. Luckily, manual boxes still have some tricks up their sleeve. They’re cheaper, for starters, by about $1,000. Some pretend they’re are sportier too, which is especially true in the case of sports cars.
But most importantly, their usage is now easier than ever.
Manufacturers were the first ones to be surprised by the sales boost of manual gearboxes, giving way to production shortage. Ford, for example, estimated only 4 or 5% of their production needed to be manual. Whereas real numbers come closer to about 10%. Only Dodge saw it coming, fitting standard transmissions to 20% of its Dart model.
Source: USA Today
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| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
But why is the trend changing? Automatic gearboxes are more fuel economic, which in today’s world, is of a big help. Luckily, manual boxes still have some tricks up their sleeve. They’re cheaper, for starters, by about $1,000. Some pretend they’re are sportier too, which is especially true in the case of sports cars.
But most importantly, their usage is now easier than ever.
Manufacturers were the first ones to be surprised by the sales boost of manual gearboxes, giving way to production shortage. Ford, for example, estimated only 4 or 5% of their production needed to be manual. Whereas real numbers come closer to about 10%. Only Dodge saw it coming, fitting standard transmissions to 20% of its Dart model.
Source: USA Today