Manual gearboxes are gradually becoming obsolete as automakers phase them out due to declining demand and increasing costs associated with offering both automatic and manual options.
Reasons for the decline include the preference for automatic transmissions due to convenience, complex driver assistance systems better suited for automatics, and efficiency gains in modern automatic transmissions.
Hyundai's Managing Director of the Europe Technical Centre in Germany stated that 'nobody wants manual gearboxes anymore,' reflecting the industry trend towards automatic transmissions.
The shift extends beyond manual transmissions, with customers showing preference for electronic handbrakes, digital instrument clusters, and automatic gearboxes, influencing automakers to streamline offerings to reduce costs.