Experiencing the sensation of overheating the clutch and coming to a halt while descending a hill was once an inherent aspect of acquiring driving skills in the United States. Nevertheless, in modern times, a diminishing number of individuals across the expanse of the U.S. are piloting vehicles endowed with manual transmissions. As indicated by CarMax, an astonishing 96 percent of Americans opt for automatic transmissions.
Unsurprisingly, the demand for automobiles featuring manual transmissions is waning in the U.S. In the year 2018, they constituted a mere two percent of the entirety of vehicle sales, as reported by Edmunds.com.
Ivan Drury, a seasoned analyst at Edmunds.com, conveyed, “For automobile manufacturers, the eventual decline of the manual transmission will bring about simplification. Providing both alternatives becomes somewhat onerous for them, as it is for dealers. Given the prevailing dynamics of the market, this represents an inevitable progression.”
In stark contradistinction, in Europe, the practice of acquiring the skill to operate a manual transmission is nearly ubiquitous. Presented below are some of the underlying rationales behind this phenomenon.
Rationales for the Ubiquity of Automatics among Americans
Automatic transmissions primarily function as pragmatic conveyances for commuting from one point to another, as delineated by Lauren Fix, also recognized as the Car Coach. This utilitarian approach is largely attributed to the fact that Americans frequently juggle multiple tasks while on the road. This diverges from the standard in other corners of the globe
Fix explained, “Americans often indulge in eating and multitasking while driving, a habit not commonly seen among Europeans.”
Moreover, Europeans tend to possess more high-end cars. While encountering a manual transmission Porsche Cayenne in the U.S. is improbable, such vehicles are a common sight in Europe.
Factors Favoring Manual Transmissions in Europe
This preference for manual transmissions begins early. In Europe, individuals as young as 15 or 16 are taught to drive using microcars equipped with manual transmissions. Fix attested that she is acquainted with no one in Europe who lacks this skill. Additionally, maneuvering a vehicle with a manual transmission encourages heightened engagement with the car and the surrounding environment.
“European drivers exhibit far greater attentiveness to the road compared to their counterparts in the United States,” noted Fix. “Throughout my travels across Europe, I have not encountered anyone on the phone while driving, not even on speakerphone. Such behavior is simply absent from their cultural norms.”
However, this is not to imply that Europeans don’t derive enjoyment from driving. For instance, Germany boasts the renowned Autobahn, where speed limits are nonexistent, and drivers often exceed 100 mph.
Furthermore, Europeans favor vehicles with manual transmissions due to their fuel efficiency. This is particularly crucial in places like Norway, where individuals shell out an average of $7.82 for a gallon of gasoline, as indicated by Sixt.com.
Remaining Manual Transmission Enthusiasts in the United States
Most car manufacturers in the United States have ceased producing vehicles with manual transmissions, with pricing not being a substantial determinant. The prevailing notion that manual transmission cars are more economical than their automatic counterparts is largely debunked, as per Edmunds.com.
There are still a few brands, such as Volkswagen, Mini, and Mazda, that continue to manufacture vehicles with manual transmissions, according to Fix. Porsche, having initially transitioned to paddle-shift technology (PDK), has reintroduced manual transmissions. Iconic sports cars like Mustangs, Corvettes, and Camaros, revered for their passionate fan base, are still available with manual transmissions.
Fix added, “The presence of manual transmissions in these models stems from the sheer joy and exhilaration associated with driving them.”
Though the prevalence of manual transmissions in the United States is declining, pockets of enthusiasm remain. CarMax customers residing in Maine, New Hampshire, and New Mexico are twice as likely to select a vehicle with a manual transmission compared to the average CarMax customer.
