Percentage of Cars Manual Transmission by Decade

Introduction

The percentage of cars with manual transmissions has been declining for decades. In the 1950s, over 90% of cars sold in the United States had manual transmissions. By the 1990s, that number had dropped to less than 20%. Today, less than 5% of new cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the decline of manual transmissions. One factor is the increasing popularity of automatic transmissions. Automatic transmissions are easier to drive, especially in stop-and-go traffic. They are also more fuel-efficient than manual transmissions, especially at low speeds.

Another factor that has contributed to the decline of manual transmissions is the rise of electronic stability control (ESC). ESC is a safety system that helps to prevent cars from skidding. ESC works best with automatic transmissions, because it can automatically adjust the throttle and brakes to keep the car stable.

The Data

The following table shows the percentage of cars with manual transmissions sold in the United States by decade:

Conclusion

The percentage of cars with manual transmissions has been declining for decades. This decline is due to a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of automatic transmissions, the rise of electronic stability control, and the increasing complexity of modern cars.

It is likely that the trend toward fewer manual transmissions will continue in the future. As automatic transmissions become more sophisticated and fuel-efficient, and as electronic safety systems become more widespread, the demand for manual transmissions will continue to decline.