[reticulated]

For context, I'm British. Until relatively recently automatics were so rare you'd often see an actual sticker on the back of the car warning the driving style would be somewhat different (e.g. braking on downhill stretches).

The vast majority of the cars on our roads in the UK are still manual, but the tide is changing and not just with the introduction of EVs. There exists a legal quirk whereby you're not licensed to drive a manual car if you've passed your driving test in an automatic. Until that legislation is updated, I expect there to remain a strong demand for manual transmissions amongst learner and new drivers.

Personally, I'm of an age where simplicity and convenience are valued more in my life. Parallels include choosing Apple devices where I'd previously been all-in on Windows, Linux and Android; consoles over gaming PCs; and I'd also include home automation despite the initial set-up. Both our family cars are currently (non-EV for now) automatics and I can't see myself or my partner ever voluntarily going back to manual cars. I can push a single button to start, select drive and go. Even the handbrake is automatic.

Anecdotally, my social group is very much of the same mindset. Increased traffic on our small island has all but removed any romantic idealism around driving a sporty manual car on an open road. Now that driving here is more of a chore than a pleasure, anything that helps ease the burden is going to become the default.

[runarberg]

In Iceland—until recently—there wasn’t even an option to take the driving test—nor the required driving lessons—on an automatic. You had to take it on a manual. Also most people bought a manual as their first car (as manuals were always cheaper and more available). However among my age some (wealthier) people bought automatic as their first car, and promptly forgot how to drive a manual. It is rear, but I’ve met a couple of people that simply don’t know how to drive a manual (as if they were American) even though they took the driving test and lessons on one a decade and a half ago.

EDIT: Unrelated, but there is also a common myth in Iceland that manual transmission is illegal in San Francisco. I have no idea where it comes from, but after having lived in SF and returning to Iceland I’ve had more then one people ask me about this. (I even owned a manual 4-speed VW bus [known as VW Ryebread in Iceland] while living there).

[Symbiote]

That describes me.

I passed my test in a manual car in Britain, but I never bought a car. I've rented them when abroad, and have an account with the pay-per-minute electric cars, but at this point I don't want to drive a manual if there's an automatic available.

[Thlom]

FYI: almost everyone learning to drive in Norway now does so with automatic and as such get a license for automatic only. Guess the same will happen in the UK pretty quick.

[pornel]

In my anecdotal sample the thinking is changing indeed from "I'll learn manual just in case I ever need it" to "screw it, automatic is available everywhere, and EVs are coming".

[gmtx725]

What about the cost factor? In the UK manuals are still significantly cheaper than automatics.

[Thlom]

I haven’t checked. They are barely sold anymore. In 2020 ca 95% of cars sold were automatic (or electric). You can still get manual used and probably cheaper than used automatic because no one wants manual anymore (except some petrol heads and old people that don’t want to learn to drive automatic).

[gmtx725]

There's still a big demand for manuals here, not just from petrolheads either. They're popular generally but in particular with newly qualified drivers, and people who live in urban areas and drive only infrequently. They're just cheaper and more economical.

That being said it is shifting (haha) slowly- I think in the last couple of years the majority of new cars sold have been automatic. But most people buy used anyway so manual is going to be around for a long time yet.

[cactusplant7374]

What is significant? A few thousand dollars?

[Symbiote]

> Until relatively recently automatics were so rare you'd often see an actual sticker on the back of the car

How recent do you mean? I know you get manufacturer brands like "5.1 GTI Automatic" on the back, but I can't remember ever seeing a warning sticker.

> Currently, manual cars still account for 70 per cent of the 31.7 million cars on UK's roads [1]

so it must have been a fair while ago.

[1] https://www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/news/brand-news/2022/th...

[reticulated]

You know what, I believe you're right. On reflection it's more like 15-20 years since I've seen one. Apologies for the bad phrasing.

[Symbiote]

No problem. Back then, I was usually in the back seat :)

[gmtx725]

I'm UK based and still drive a manual. The main reason being cost. I'm a super infrequent driver (maybe once a week for bulky shops or long weekend trips) and don't want to be paying through the nose for something that is a convenience not an essential. I drive a second hand 2013 Toyota aygo which was super cheap, is zero rated for road tax, incredibly reliable and ultra fuel efficient.

I'd be willing to bet I'm quite representative of other city based drivers who have the option of public transport, walking or cycling. That's why I don't see the demand for manual dropping any time soon.

[timeon]

> the driving style would be somewhat different

Another difference I think is that with the stick, driver needs to be more prepared for moments to come on the road. Like you know that you are going to shift when you see the change in terrain ahead of you and so on. While with automatic this awareness is not required so you can expect the driver without stick to make more sudden changes. Of course not a rule.