The Manual Transmission: a Dying Breed?
- Jaylen Rambarran
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
Manual transmissions have been a key part of driving since the earliest days of the automobile. When vehicles were first created, they were nearly all manual, and driving standard was the norm. As time passed, however, drivers wanted a simpler option, and the automatic transmission began to take over.
This raises some important questions: Is the manual transmission a thing of the past? How does its use differ around the world? And which type is actually safer?
The Manual Transmission in the United States
Vehicles with manual transmissions are being purchased less and less in the United States. This is due to a combination of factors, including people not learning to drive manual vehicles, the rise of electric cars, and a growing preference for a more relaxing driving experience.
Only 18% of Americans know how to drive a manual transmission
These days in the US, driving a vehicle with a manual transmission is becoming something of a lost art, mostly practiced by car enthusiasts or older drivers. As manual transmissions decline in popularity, fewer are being produced for the American market, making them harder to find. This means that if future generations want to learn how to drive a manual, they may not have access to them.
In 2022, less than 1% of vehicles sold in the United States were manual
The Manual Transmission Around the World
The United States is not the only place where automatic vehicles reign. In Australia, China, and Japan, over 90% of new vehicles sold in 2023 had automatic transmissions. In South Korea, there were none sold.
In South Korea, 0% of new vehicles sold in 2023 were manual
However, there are plenty of places where manual vehicles remain more popular, including Europe, South America, and Africa.
More than 30% of new vehicles sold in Europe, South America, and South Africa are manuals
There are a few different reasons for this. One is that manual vehicles tend to be less expensive than automatic vehicles. In countries where the median household income is lower than the United States, this makes them an attractive choice.
Differences in culture is another reason why manual vehicles remain popular in other countries. Europe, in particular, has a rich automotive heritage, with many of the world’s most iconic and prestigious brands originating from this region. Many Europeans take a greater interest in how their vehicles actually operate and place a greater emphasis on driving as a skill instead of merely a form of transportation. With a manual transmission, car enthusiasts are given more control of the functioning of their vehicle.
However, though manual vehicles remain more popular in Europe, South America, and Africa than they do in the United States, their use is on the decline. In 2000, 89% of new cars sold in Europe were manual vehicles. As late as 2018, this number was still high, at 78%, but following this the numbers fell sharply. In 2022, only 32% of new vehicles sold in Europe had manual transmissions. This trend is happening globally. In 2017, 50% of new vehicles sold in China had manual transmissions; in 2023 that number dropped to 4%. This rapid pace of change seems to suggest that globally automatic vehicles are the future.
Which Type of Transmission is Safer?
Just because a manual transmission gives drivers a more direct control of the vehicle doesn’t mean it’s safer. There is nothing inherently unsafe about manual vehicles, but there are definite advantages that come with driving an automatic. When you don’t have to worry about switching gears, your focus can remain solely on the road. An automatic transmission also allows you to keep your hands on the wheel for most of your trip, which can improve your response time. For some, shifting gears is stressful, especially at traffic lights and on hills, due to the pressure of shifting correctly and keeping your vehicle from rolling back. Increased stress behind the wheel can increase your risk of landing in a dangerous situation, as it can impair both your focus and decision-making abilities. So, while automatic vehicles aren’t inherently safer, they are often easier to operate, which can reduce risk in certain situations. At the end of the day, however, safety behind the wheel depends far more on the driver than on the type of transmission.
While the general trend suggests that manual vehicles will become increasingly rare, the enthusiasm for them that persists in countries around the world, and the considerable sales that still exist in Europe, South America, and Africa, suggest they won’t die out entirely anytime soon.
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