MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS DOUBLE MARKET SHARE - Autoline Daily
And finally, here’s a news item that should make enthusiasts jump for joy. Manual transmissions are making a comeback in the U.S. Well, a bit of a comeback. JD Power reports that sales of vehicles with a stick shift account for 1.7% of the market this year. That’s up from 1.2% last year and 0.9% in 2021. So sticks have almost doubled their market share in just the last two years. CarMax says manual transmission sales at its dealerships hit 2.9% last year, up from 2.4% in 2020. There isn’t any one factor responsible for the increase, but it’s not because buyers are trying to save money. Manuals are no longer cheaper than automatics, and they usually don’t get better fuel economy, either. CarMax says 20-something buyers are driving the increase but older consumers are also buying manuals for nostalgia. The best-selling vehicles with a manual are the Honda Civic, Ford Mustang, Subaru WRX, Jeep Wrangler and Chevy Camaro. https://www.wardsauto.com/dealers/stick ... ick-around
'08 Jeep Liberty 6-Speed MT - "Last of the Mohicans"
NISSAN INTROS NEW $17,225 VERSA- AutoLine Daily
Here’s an option for car buyers worried about soaring new car prices in the U.S. The 2024 Nissan Versa has a starting price of $17,225 including destination charges, which makes it the lowest priced new vehicle in the U.S. That’s with a 5-speed manual transmission. The starting price jumps to just under $19,000 with a CVT. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and rear automatic braking. With new cars becoming more and more expensive, so it’s nice to see there actually is an affordable car in the market.
