How Many Manual Transmission Cars Are in America?
Introduction
Manual transmission cars are becoming increasingly rare in the United States. In 2020, only about 1.5% of new cars sold in the U.S. had manual transmissions. This is down from 10% in 2010 and 50% in 1990.
There are a number of reasons for this decline. One reason is that automatic transmissions are more convenient and easier to drive. Another reason is that manual transmissions are often associated with older, less powerful cars. Finally, the rise of electric vehicles, which do not have transmissions, has further reduced the demand for manual transmission cars.
How Many Manual Transmission Cars Are in America?
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there were approximately 12 million manual transmission cars registered in the United States in 2020. This represents about 3% of all registered vehicles in the country.
The majority of manual transmission cars in the U.S. are older vehicles. In 2020, only about 2% of new cars sold in the U.S. had manual transmissions. This means that the number of manual transmission cars on the road will continue to decline in the coming years.
States Where Manual Transmission Cars Are
Manual transmission cars are more common in some states than others. The states with the highest percentage of manual transmission cars are:
- Maine (5.1%)
- Vermont (4.9%)
- New Hampshire (4.7%)
- Montana (4.6%)
- Idaho (4.5%)
The states with the lowest percentage of manual transmission cars are:
- Hawaii (0.5%)
- Nevada (0.6%)
- California (0.7%)
- Arizona (0.8%)
- New Mexico (0.9%)
Types of Manual Transmission Cars
There are two main types of manual transmission cars:
- Standard manual transmission: This type of manual transmission has a clutch pedal that must be depressed in order to shift gears.
- Automatic manual transmission (AMT): This type of manual transmission has an automated clutch system that shifts gears automatically.
Standard manual transmissions are more common than AMTs. However, AMTs are becoming more popular, especially in Europe.
Reasons to Buy a Manual Transmission Car
There are a number of reasons why someone might want to buy a manual transmission car. Some of the benefits of manual transmission cars include:
- More control over the vehicle: Manual transmission cars give drivers more control over the vehicle’s performance. This can be beneficial for driving in slippery conditions or when towing a trailer.
- Improved fuel economy: Manual transmission cars typically get better fuel economy than automatic transmission cars.
- Cheaper to maintain: Manual transmission cars are generally cheaper to maintain than automatic transmission cars.
- More fun to drive: Many people find manual transmission cars more fun to drive than automatic transmission cars.
Reasons to Avoid a Manual Transmission Car
There are also some reasons why someone might want to avoid a manual transmission car. Some of the drawbacks of manual transmission cars include:
- More difficult to drive: Manual transmission cars can be more difficult to drive than automatic transmission cars, especially for new drivers.
- Can be tiring to drive in traffic: Shifting gears constantly in traffic can be tiring.
- Not as convenient as automatic transmission cars: Automatic transmission cars are more convenient to drive, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
- Not as good for resale: Manual transmission cars are not as popular as automatic transmission cars, which can make them harder to sell.
Conclusion
Manual transmission cars are becoming increasingly rare in the United States. However, there are still a number of benefits to owning a manual transmission car. If you are looking for a car that is fun to drive, fuel-efficient, and cheap to maintain, a manual transmission car may be a good option for you.