Automatics to exceed manuals worldwide in 2007

[wasssup]

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/12/auto...s-to-exceed-manuals-worldwide-in-2007/

Here in North America, you have to look really hard for a manual transmission in anything other than a sports car or econobox. We love our automatic trannys here, mostly because they're easy to operate and they tend to work better in traffic than a manual. Heck, an awful lot of people under age 40 don't even know how to drive a stick. In 2007, worldwide automatics will finally out-number manual transmissions. It has been that way here in North America and Japan for a very long time, but now in countries like China and India more and more drivers can afford an auto trans. Traffic is also more congested in those countries too, with more cars on the road.

In Europe, manual-shift automatics are aiding the transition away from manuals. They're sure to become more popular here in the US as well, which will cut down the amount of sticks in sports cars. The proliferation of CVTs, which get lower HP vehicles off the line a bit quicker than the standard automatic are helping the transition also. The writing was on the wall the minute you could get exotic European sports cars with paddle shifters.

[Source: Just Auto]

 

[Ryan]

NEVAR!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jahee]

Because people are lazy!

I'm never going to buy an automatic car on anything but a luxury cruiser that i'd use for motorway journeys. Even then i want sequential!

 

[j00fek]

never had and automatic, but i guess im not a fat slob that drives and auto

 

[PricklyPete]

NOOOOOO!!!!

I'll keep driving manual until they stop making them...then I might switch to riding bikes.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Manual FTW!

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Jahee
Because people are lazy!

I'm never going to buy an automatic car on anything but a luxury cruiser that i'd use for motorway journeys. Even then i want sequential!

Damn right I'm lazy. My next car is gonna be an automatic. Driving a manual in city traffic and rush hour is not fun.

 

[Kaieye]

Most of you readers here are under 30. Wait until you become an old fart like me and you will want an car with automatic everything.
I have driven a stick for over 25 years and had enough already.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Kaieye
Most of you readers here are under 30. Wait until you become an old fart like me and you will want an car with automatic everything.
I have driven a stick for over 25 years and had enough already.

Im 24, and I've driven a manual for the last 5 years and I've already had enough.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

:brokenheart:

- M4H

 

[kmrivers]

You mean it didn't already?

 

[Bateluer]

Good. Automatics are so much better than Manuals. Especially in heavy traffic.

 

[K1052]

I see few manuals outside of the more exotic cars here in downtown Chicago, Just not horribly practical for a lot of city driving.

 

[kmrivers]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Jahee
Because people are lazy!

I'm never going to buy an automatic car on anything but a luxury cruiser that i'd use for motorway journeys. Even then i want sequential!

Damn right I'm lazy. My next car is gonna be an automatic. Driving a manual in city traffic and rush hour is not fun.

Its not that bad if you know what you are doing. Besides, I think it is better for all these kids driving these days, they can't really do a billion things at once. It requires more focus, even if you are experienced which is good for everyone.

Someone should conduct a study...

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: kmrivers
Besides, I think it is better for all these kids driving these days, they can't really do a billion things at once.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Jahee
Because people are lazy!

I'm never going to buy an automatic car on anything but a luxury cruiser that i'd use for motorway journeys. Even then i want sequential!

With the advances that have been made in automatic transmissions, I'm not surprised.

But yes, I will also only buy standards when I have the option

 

[mugs]

I like driving manuals... makes me feel more connected to the road.

But I did hate my manual car when I was commuting in stop and go traffic.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I couldn't give two sh!ts about driving a manual.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: Ryan
NEVAR!!!!!!!!!!!

god damn that's ugly with the shifter sticking out of the dash like that. but yeah, manual > automatic.

 

[krunchykrome]

Driving a manual does make you feel more connnected to the road, but in my experiences, one of those sports-shift mode features on cars does the same trick for me.

 

[Dedpuhl]

I liked my manual when I lived in a smaller city. When I moved to a larger city, it sucked.

 

[kmrivers]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: kmrivers
Besides, I think it is better for all these kids driving these days, they can't really do a billion things at once.

What I am saying is, for all the teens getting in accidents I have to wonder if more of them having manual cars would help them focus and be a better driver. I know that I am much more focused when I am driving a manual than an automatic.

Obviously this wouldn't work for say the speed demon kids who drives like jerks. But for girls and more sensitive boys it may be to the advantage of these teens.

Just a thought.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Driving a manual does make you feel more connnected to the road, but in my experiences, one of those sports-shift mode features on cars does the same trick for me.

Ah yes, the perceptible lag between pushing the button and shifting, the disconnected feeling, the power-sapping slushbox ...

Wait, what?

- M4H

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Driving a manual does make you feel more connnected to the road, but in my experiences, one of those sports-shift mode features on cars does the same trick for me.

Ah yes, the perceptible lag between pushing the button and shifting, the disconnected feeling, the power-sapping slushbox ...

Wait, what?

- M4H

Im no automobile enthusiast. Im a normal guy who enjoys driving and has an interest in cars. I could care less how accurate the sports shifting is in cars. To me, it's fun to drive, Im down shifting, and up shifting, and in traffic I tap it over to automatic. That's pleasant for me.

 

[Mucho]

Its hard to drive manual while talking on the phone.