Autopedia

No more stick shift? 🥲

Hyundai can soon be phasing out manual transmissions, resulting in a catastrophic drop in consumer demand.

According to Hyundai’s European Technical Centre, today’s drivers overwhelmingly prefer the convenience of automatic gearboxes, especially with the rapid shift toward electric vehicles that don't require traditional gear changes. Hyundai also noted declining interest in analog features like mechanical handbrakes and instrument clusters, as modern buyers seek more digital, seamless driving experiences.

The decision to reduce manual transmission options has drawn criticism from driving purists and enthusiasts who believe that manuals provide a more intimate and engaging driving experience. In regions such as the United States, vehicles like the Toyota GR86 and Mazda Miata continue to attract more than half of their buyers opting for a manual gearbox. Some critics argue that the decline in manual offerings isn’t due to lack of demand, but rather because manufacturers have quietly removed them from their lineups.

With electric vehicle's increasing demand, manual transmissions face the fate of becoming a nostalgic artifact — remembered by a few but forgotten by many.