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Despite the title, it never explores why this phenomenon is specific to America, except to note that "the 5-speed manual is [still] the most popular transmissio
by ken 8y ago
Despite the title, it never explores why this phenomenon is specific to America, except to note that "the 5-speed manual is [still] the most popular transmission in the world".
- wvenable 8y agoThe next line is -- "They're low-cost and easy to make," he said -- so that might be the main factor. They are also easier to repair.
- rootusrootus 8y agoWell, once we went past the point where most cars had an automatic, we quickly got to the point where basically nobody knows how to drive a manual. So it feeds on itself. Guy that I work with just traded out his Mazda 3 for a new one, got an automatic this time because his girlfriend can't drive a stick. Wouldn't learn. So... that's how you get nearly 100% adoption.
- twblalock 8y agoIt's also pretty difficult to find a manual transmission car in Japan and other wealthy Asian countries like South Korea. And in Europe automatic transmissions are increasing in popularity, as are SUVs and crossovers. America just started transitioning to automatics a lot earlier.