Automobiles with automatic transmission are expected to account for about one fourth of the market by 2025. The evolution of transmission modes is largely driven by vehicle performance requirements and fuel economy targets. Additionally, automatic transmission often provides more comfort when roads are congested or traffic is slow.
Global auto production by transmission type
In 2015, four out of ten light vehicles produced worldwide was equipped with manual transmission, while automatic cars represented around 34 percent of the global share. In the European Union, vehicles with manual transmission are more common than automatic transmission vehicles, while the majority of U.S.-assembled vehicles are fitted with automatic transmission and continuously variable transmission. U.S. motor vehicle transmission and powertrain parts manufacturing gross output came to some 40 billion U.S. dollars in 2017.
History of automatic transmission
General Motors created the first automatic transmission vehicle in 1939/1940. The Hydramatic became a regular production option in Oldsmobiles, Cadillacs, Rolls-Royce vehicles and Pontiacs. By 1957, over 80 percent of the U.S. automobile market consisted of automatic transmission automobiles. Since then, there has been indecision on whether or not manual cars are increasing in popularity, although, it is certain that there will always be a niche market in the U.S. for manual cars.
FAQs
Global automotive transmission outlook 2025
What is the most common transmission in the world? ›
Automatic transmissions are the most popular transmission type. This transmission type automatically changes gear ratios when the vehicle moves. They're easy to use, making driving a car much more uncomplicated. Benefits - Automatic transmissions offer good fuel economy and reduce wear and tear on the engine.
What is the market share of manual transmissions? ›
While the popularity of the manual transmission has waned significantly from its peak, there is something of a small renaissance happening among enthusiasts. Manual sales made up less than a percent of cars sold in the US in 2021, but last year, that number was around 1.7 percent. Not a lot, but not nothing.
What percentage of cars are automatic vs manual transmission? ›
Car changing is a big deal
| Year | Automatic | Manual |
|---|
| 2021 | 62.4% | 37.7% |
| 2020 | 56.2% | 43.9% |
| 2019 | 49.1% | 50.9% |
| 2018 | 43.2% | 56.9% |
2 more rowsOct 19, 2022
In 2017, the overall manual take rate fell to 78 percent of new cars, and it's plunged since then. In 2022 it was down to 34 percent, and through the first half of this year, we're sitting at 32 percent. There are several reasons for this. Drivers are more aware of the advantages and ease of an automatic.
What type of transmission do people prefer? ›
Performance drivers often prefer a manual transmission for the control it gives, but a stick shift isn't a requirement for a high-performing car.
Which is the best transmission in the world? ›
Best automatic transmission - CVT
The CVT is considered to be the smoothest automatic transmission as it offers no shift shock and provides smooth driving by altering gear ratios without steps. Well, the CVT is a perfect fit for those who want a super-smooth drive.
What is the future of manual transmission? ›
With various types of Automatics, EVs, and ADAS on the market, manual shifting will undoubtedly decrease, but many automobile enthusiasts still like or will favor manual shifting, so it may continue to exist in niche markets. Also, every individual's health situation will play a significant role.
What percentage of American cars are manual transmission? ›
Here in America, new cars with manual transmissions account for around 2% of the car market.
What percentage of Americans drive manual transmission? ›
For the 1980 model year, 35 percent of cars produced for sale in the United States had manual transmissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Today, the share is about 1 percent. And just 18 percent of American drivers can drive a stick, according to U.S. News and World Report.
According to a study by Edmunds, more than 80% of cars sold in Europe have a manual transmission, as compared to just 3% in the U.S. Read on to find out what's behind this staggering difference between manual cars & automatic cars.
What percent of cars in Europe are automatic? ›
In 2020, Europe Mobility Foresight estimated a 75 percent market penetration of automatic transmissions. This was due to changes in consumer behavior in major cities, as six- and eight-speed automatics became more popular.
Do automatic cars last longer than manual? ›
Higher Maintenance Cost – Automatic transmissions are generally more complicated than manual transmissions. They will need more frequent and more expensive maintenance. Automatics have a relatively shorter lifetime than manuals of the same make and model.
What percentage of cars in America are automatic? ›
But these days, fewer and fewer people are driving cars with stick shifts in the United States. According to CarMax, 96 percent of Americans drive automatics.
Are manual transmissions becoming more popular? ›
Sales of manual transmission vehicles have experienced a modest increase in recent years. In 2023 they accounted for 1.7 percent of all new car sales, up from less than one percent in 2021. While not a booming renaissance, the resurgence highlights a shift in consumer behavior.
What percent of Japanese cars are manual? ›
While, in Japan, only 4% of vehicles run on manual transmissions.
What is the most common transmission problem? ›
The Most Common Transmission Issues
Leaking Seals: when your vehicle's transmission is low on fluid due to failed seals that cause a leak, it can lose so much fluid that the internal components fail to work correctly or fail.
What is a common vehicle transmission? ›
Common-vehicle transmission refers to agents transmitted by a common inanimate vehicle, with multiple cases resulting from such exposure. This category includes diseases in which food or water as well as drugs and parenteral fluids are the vehicles of infection.
What is the common transmission of viruses? ›
Viruses that infect the skin are spread through skin-to-skin contact, and respiratory viruses are shed within respiratory secretions, passed along through a cough or sneeze to a new, susceptible host.
