Is the Manual Dead? Fresh Data Uncovers Its Fading Presence
New cars with manual gearboxes are hard to find these days. Exclusive numbers from Auto Express show only a tiny fraction of vehicles sold today come with a stick shift. This matches a big drop in UK sales, meaning fewer folks want or know how to shift gears themselves.
Right now, just 96 car models offer a manual option. Compare that to 404 models that only come as automatics. That’s barely 19% of the market for manuals. Three years back, nearly a third of all car types—think estates, coupes, or sporty versions—had a manual choice.
Sales feel the hit hard. In 2024, the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported only 22% of new cars sold were manuals. Automatic cars took over as the top choice back in 2020, and manual registrations keep sliding.
Why Are Manual Gearboxes Vanishing?
What’s behind this shift? A few reasons stand out. Many drivers just like automatics better. Gearheads love the hands-on fun of shifting, but for most, automatics make driving chill and easy.
Then there’s the rise of electric vehicles. Hybrids and full EVs? Almost all are automatic. As these flood the used car market, manuals get pushed out. Soon, only the cheapest cars or ones built for driving purists will have stick shifts.
No shock, then, that young drivers lean toward automatic driving tests. The AA Driving School says 21% of its students passed their test in an automatic in 2024. Five years ago, that number was only 9.5%.
Emma Bush, who runs AA Driving School, put it this way: “Electric cars are the future for lots of people. Manuals? They’re starting to feel pointless to many.” She added that more students pick automatics for lessons, and some even train in electric cars.
This trend’s not slowing down. Manual driving lessons will likely keep dropping. Still, manual licenses matter for some—they want the freedom to drive all kinds of vehicles.
The data paints a clear picture: manuals are losing ground fast. Automatics dominate because they’re easier, and EVs are speeding up the change. Driving schools see it too—fewer kids learn to shift gears. Manuals might stick around for enthusiasts or budget buyers, but their days as a common choice seem numbered. As cars evolve, so do driver habits, and the stick shift is getting left behind.
Source and Image: AutoExpress