The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, where the rise of automatic transmission and electric vehicles is pushing manual gearboxes toward obsolescence. This is not merely a change in driver preference, but a reflection of evolving technology and shifting industry standards.
According to recent research in the UK, the number of manual transmission vehicles has declined by a striking 57% over the past decade. If this trend continues, experts suggest manual cars could vanish completely by 2037. An analysis of the top 30 car brands shows that while there were 192 manual models available in 2015, the number dropped to 109 in 2023, 89 in 2024, and is projected to shrink to just 82 by 2025. A 25% decrease in just two years highlights how rapidly manual transmission is falling out of favor.
Automatic gearboxes, once associated with luxury models, are now becoming the standard across all vehicle segments. Brands like Lexus, Mercedes, Tesla, and Volvo have long embraced this trend, and now Mini and Land Rover are joining them by going fully automatic in 2025. This shift indicates that manual transmission is no longer a mainstream feature but a fading relic.
CarGurus reports that among the top 30 best-selling car brands in the UK, 196 models are available exclusively with automatic transmission. Manual variants account for only 29% of total offerings. Despite this, some manufacturers are still keeping the spirit of manual alive. Volkswagen leads with seven manual models in the UK, followed by Citroen and Ford with six each. Brands like Dacia, Hyundai, Mazda, and Skoda offer five manual models each.
With electric vehicles primarily using single-speed gearboxes, the technical feasibility of manual transmission in future cars becomes increasingly limited. Nevertheless, manufacturers like Hyundai are exploring virtual manual gear simulations, aiming to blend nostalgic driving pleasure with modern technology.